FIA scandal: Paris courtroom considers blocking Ben Sulayem’s re-election
Simply over a month earlier than the elections for the presidency of the FIA, a judicial storm threatens to engulf the present head, Mohammed Ben Sulayem. The Excessive Courtroom of Paris has been known as upon to rule on an pressing attraction requesting the suspension of the vote. The elections are scheduled for December 12 in Baku, the place Ben Sulayem is at present the only candidate.
The attraction was filed by driver Laura Villars, who, together with two different aspirants, was excluded from the candidacy as a consequence of new guidelines launched final June. Villars challenges the legitimacy of the electoral rules, asking for the elections to be blocked till a remaining ruling is issued. The preliminary listening to is about for November 10.
The FIA guidelines revision
The amendments to the rules require that every candidate current an inventory together with seven vice presidents from the six areas of the world, chosen completely from an inventory accepted by the FIA. Nonetheless, just one individual represents South America: Fabiana Ecclestone, spouse of former System 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone, and a supporter of Ben Sulayem.
This example has sparked accusations of favoritism and an absence of inner democracy. Considerations had already been raised throughout the USA Grand Prix weekend by Tim Mayer, one other excluded candidate. “The FIA electoral course of favors these already in energy. Others don’t even have the prospect to succeed in the beginning line,” he acknowledged, denouncing an “phantasm of democracy.”
If the Paris Courtroom accepts the attraction, the election may very well be suspended, setting an unprecedented precedent within the historical past of the Federation. In the meantime, the case can also be shaking the System 1 paddock, the place discontent is rising over a administration thought of by many to be opaque and self-referential.





