Key facts
- The FIA has removed term limits for its president and other leadership roles.
- Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the current president, was re-elected in December for his second term.
- The FIA reported its strongest financial results in a decade.
- An operating profit of 6.7 million euros was recorded for 2025.
The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the governing body for Formula 1 and other auto racing series, has voted to remove term limits for its presidency and other positions. This decision, confirmed following an extraordinary general assembly meeting in Macao, potentially allows current president Mohammed Ben Sulayem to remain in office for an extended period.
Ben Sulayem, who has held the presidency since 2021, was re-elected unopposed in December for what was expected to be his second of three four-year terms. The removal of term limits removes a potential obstacle to his long-term tenure, though an age limit of 70 for presidential candidates remains in place. Ben Sulayem, a former rally driver from the United Arab Emirates, would be 68 by the time of the next scheduled FIA elections in 2029.
The term limits had been instituted in 2009 following the contentious end to Max Mosley's 16-year presidency. Jean Todt subsequently served the maximum 12 years before Ben Sulayem's election.
Despite some disagreements with Formula 1 drivers and staff turnover during his tenure, Ben Sulayem has overseen a financial recovery for the FIA since the COVID-19 pandemic. The organization reported its strongest financial results in a decade, including an operating profit of 6.7 million euros for 2025. Ben Sulayem stated that the FIA is focused on future growth, innovation, and increasing participation.