FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem Moves to Remove Term Limits for Leadership Role

Posted : 28 May 2026

The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) is preparing to vote on a proposal that would eliminate term limits for its president, a change that could allow Mohammed Ben Sulayem to extend his time in office beyond the current 12-year cap.

Under existing rules, the FIA presidency operates on four-year terms, with a maximum of three consecutive terms permitted. The proposed amendment would remove this restriction entirely, enabling unlimited re-election for the role.

Ben Sulayem, the 64-year-old Emirati who was re-elected unopposed in December due to election eligibility rules that prevented challengers, would directly benefit from the change if approved. The proposal is expected to be presented at next month’s FIA General Assembly, where it is widely anticipated to pass.

An FIA spokesperson said the change is intended to align governance across all FIA bodies, similar to structures already used within its world councils and senate. They added that the reform would still preserve democratic elections for officeholders within the organisation.

At present, several FIA positions, including leadership roles in anti-doping and the Formula 1 cost-cap committee, are also subject to term limits introduced under former president Jean Todt.

The current framework was established to prevent extended leadership tenures, a principle reinforced when Todt succeeded Max Mosley, who led the organisation from 1993 until stepping down in 2009 after internal disputes with Formula 1 teams.

When questioned about why term limits were being removed rather than standardised across all roles, the FIA did not provide a direct explanation. However, it referenced governance models in other sports, including long-serving leadership examples in organisations such as the NFL.

The proposal has drawn criticism from governance experts. Tim Mayer, who was previously unable to challenge Ben Sulayem in an FIA election due to eligibility rules, argued that term limits are essential for accountability and preventing excessive concentration of power.

He added that major sporting bodies, including the International Olympic Committee (International Olympic Committee), view leadership rotation as a key governance safeguard, citing former IOC president Thomas Bach’s decision not to extend his tenure beyond statutory limits as an example of best practice.

The final decision now rests with FIA member bodies, who will vote on the proposal at the upcoming General Assembly.

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem Moves to Remove Term Limits for Leadership Role

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