The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) has significantly changed its governance structure. At the Extraordinary General Assemblies held in Macau on June 25, 2026, member clubs voted by a supermajority, reported as 90.71 percent, to eliminate term limitations for the FIA President and other key positions.
Ben Sulayem’s Proposal Becomes Reality
The decision to scrap the previous limit of three four-year terms (12 years maximum) was made by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem and subsequently approved by the membership.
BBC Sport reported in May 2026:
“FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem is proposing a removal of term limits for the position…”
Multiple sources, including Reuters, Motorsport.com, and RACER, verified that Ben Sulayem put forth the proposal, which was approved at the Macau conference.
What the Changes Actually Entail
- Removing term limitations from FIA bodies, bringing them in line with the World Councils and Senate.
- Tightened eligibility requirements for presidential candidates, including demonstrating expertise within FIA structures and extending the deadline for submitting a full vice-presidential ticket.
- For the time being, the election age limit of 70 remains in effect. Ben Sulayem, age 64, would be eligible for additional terms.
As reported by ESPN, FIA spokesperson stated in:
The FIA statutes have been updated to establish a consistent approach to term limits across all FIA bodies, in line with the World Councils and the Senate. The proposed amendments were approved by a supermajority at the Extraordinary General Assemblies. FIA bodies retain full authority to democratically elect officeholders they deem appropriate.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem commented during the FIA General Assembly in Macao:
The decisions approved by our Members here today reflect the continued progress we are making together as a Federation. Through stronger governance, financial discipline and a clear long-term vision, we are building an FIA that is better equipped to support our Members, strengthen our championships, and deliver for motorsport and mobility worldwide.
The FIA also highlighted positive financial results for 2025, including an operating profit of €6.7 million.
Growing Criticism and Governance Concerns
Critics claim that the measures risk lowering accountability, particularly because Ben Sulayem’s 2025 re-election ran unopposed due to strict candidacy restrictions that barred possible contenders.
Robert Reid, who resigned as FIA vice-president for sport last year citing a “standards breakdown” this week said the moves “changed how authority is challenged, renewed and handed on“.
Writing in a post on LinkedIn, external the Scot said:
Term limits are not a perfect safeguard. They do not guarantee good governance. They do not prevent poor judgement. But they do create a point at which renewal must happen. They also remind an institution that office is temporary, that legitimacy must be refreshed, and that no individual should become structurally indispensable.
Tim Mayer, a prospective candidate, has also spoken out on the importance of genuine democratic processes and accountability in the FIA.
According to some sources, Ben Sulayem may seek to abolish the remaining 70-year age limit in future assemblies.
Verdict
This was a democratic vote among FIA member clubs. In the midst of complicated regulatory periods, like the 2026 Formula 1 amendments, the organisation indicates improved financial results and makes the case for leadership continuity.
However, the optics of a sitting president effectively implementing regulations that remove the primary structural constraint on his own power after a controversial unchallenged re-election create valid concerns about long-term accountability and renewal in global motorsport governance.
Whether this delivers stability and progress or leads to entrenched leadership will be judged by future results, transparency, and the sport’s health under continued Ben Sulayem stewardship.
This story is developing. We will continue keeping track of reactions, potential future changes, and their implications for Formula One.
Header image credit: Emirates Motorsports Organization
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