Ben Sulayem wants to scrap FIA presidency term limits
FIA mulls scrapping presidency term limits as Ben Sulayem pushes to extend tenure
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who has led motorsport’s governing body since December 2021, is advocating the removal of term limits for the FIA presidency. If approved, the 64-year-old Emirati could remain in the top role beyond the current cap, effectively allowing an unlimited tenure.
Under the existing framework, the FIA president serves four-year terms and may seek re-election no more than twice, giving a ceiling of three terms. The proposal to revise the statutes will be on the agenda at next month’s FIA General Assembly, where it is anticipated to pass with broad backing from member bodies.
An FIA spokesperson outlined the proposal as an effort to standardize tenure across all FIA organs, aligning the presidency with other bodies such as world councils and the senate. The spokesperson emphasized that the ultimate decision rests with the World Councils and the General Assembly, reminding that FIA entities retain the right to democratically elect their leaders.
Other FIA roles currently governed by term limits include the head of the anti-doping committee and the chair of the F1 cost-cap committee. The inception of a three-term limit traces back to the tenure of Ben Sulayem’s predecessor, Jean Todt, who followed Max Mosley as FIA president after Mosley renounced a bid for further terms amid tensions with F1 teams in 2009.
BBC Sport sought clarification on why term limits would be abolished across all posts rather than selectively applied. An FIA spokesperson declined to offer a concrete rationale but drew a parallel with the NFL, noting that Roger Goodell’s long tenure has coincided with what is described as the sport’s transformation into a global brand under a governance framework deemed robust.
In parallel to the debate on term limits, IOC President Thomas Bach recently rejected an extended tenure, arguing that leadership changes are often beneficial to organizations. Bach’s stance has been cited in discussions about governance reform within the FIA.
Tim Mayer, who was blocked from challenging Ben Sulayem in last year’s race for the presidency due to the election rules, described term limits as more than bureaucratic constraints. He argued they are essential for safeguarding good governance by preventing power concentration, facilitating leadership renewal, and maintaining accountability to members and stakeholders.
The UK-based governance changes also include two additional statute amendments designed to tighten the road to the FIA presidency. One tightens the eligibility criteria for candidates by requiring demonstrable experience within an FIA member federation or body. The other extends the deadline for submitting the candidate’s vice-presidential slate from 49 to 100 days before the election, complicating efforts to assemble a rival ticket.
Supporters of the move contend that longer tenures would provide stability and continuity, particularly as the FIA navigates complex issues across global motorsport. Critics, including Mayer and others, warn that removing term limits could entrench power, impede renewal, and reduce accountability.
The forthcoming General Assembly is expected to shape the trajectory of FIA governance for years to come, with the potential to redefine leadership tenure and influence how decisions are made across the sport’s international governing body.