– FIA President Mohammed bin Sulayem has proposed that the motorsport world governing body (FIA) abolish the current article that limits the terms of office for presidents.
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Sulayem, who is currently in his second term after running unopposed in last year’s election, is currently subject to Article 20.10 of the FIA statutes.
This states that “the FIA President may not serve more than three terms, whether consecutive or not, meaning a maximum duration of 12 years.”
The BBC first reported that Sulayem wants to abolish this rule, which was confirmed by Motorsport-Total.com. This would allow him to continue to run until he decides to resign himself.
The Emirati was the only approved candidate in last year’s elections. None of the other applicants were able to nominate the seven vice presidents – two from Europe and one each from the other FIA-defined world regions – required to officially run.
Fabiana Ecclestone was the only available representative from South America and had joined Sulayem’s campaign.
The term limits were introduced under the presidency of Jean Todt. Before the Frenchman’s twelve-year term, Max Mosley was president for 16 years, while Jean-Marie Balestre stepped down after two terms of four years each.
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Motorsport-Total.com asked the FIA for a statement, and a spokesperson for the association said this is in line with the other elected positions in the FIA World Councils and the Senate.
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“A proposal has been made to create a uniform regulation of term limits for all FIA bodies, similar to what currently applies to the World Councils and the Senate,” the statement said.
“The proposal requires the approval of the World Councils and the General Assembly. The FIA bodies retain full authority to democratically elect officeholders.”
According to the FIA statutes, senators and council members are also subject to four-year terms but can run for re-election an unlimited number of times.
The proposed changes to the FIA statutes, including the abolition of the term limit, are to be put to a vote at the next General Assembly.
Sulayem’s presidency was challenged in the last elections by Tim Mayer, a former FIA commissioner, racing driver Laura Villars, and journalist Virginie Philippot, but none of them were approved for the runoff for the presidency.
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Villars has since taken legal action against the FIA over the election process.
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