Laura Villars throws hat into FIA ring — with history on the line
Laura Villars has stepped into motorsport’s political arena, declaring her intention to run for FIA President later this year — and, upon formal entry, to become the first woman ever to contest the top job.
The 28-year-old Swiss racer made the move public on Thursday via her social channels and a statement from Villars Racing, setting up what looks to be a three-way race for the December 12 election in Uzbekistan. Incumbent Mohammed Ben Sulayem is seeking a second term, while American official Tim Mayer has already been canvassing support since launching his “FIA Forward” campaign at Silverstone in July.
As of now, no formal application from Villars has been filed. But if she clears the paperwork — and the politics — history beckons.
“The FIA must once again be the federation of clubs and licence holders,” Villars said in announcing her bid. “My ambition is a governance that is more democratic, more transparent, more responsible, and open to women and new generations. I strongly believe that motorsport needs diversity and innovation to keep inspiring younger generations worldwide.”
Villars is no career official. She currently competes in the Ligier European Series with Team Virage and has 58 starts across the Ultimate Cup Series, F4 UAE, Ferrari Challenge Europe and the Ligier European Series. It’s an unconventional resumé for a presidential hopeful, but not without symbolism at a time when the FIA’s role across sport and mobility is under the microscope.
What’s on her agenda? Villars hasn’t published a full manifesto yet, but she’s sketched out priorities that hit governance, transparency and inclusion. Among them:
– Regular consultations with member clubs and a more participatory decision-making model
– Stronger financial transparency and clearer processes
– A new “FIA Eco-Performance” label to recognise sustainability leadership
– A bolstered Women in Motorsport programme (including Girls on Track and mentoring) plus a new FIA Young Leaders Academy
– Positioning the FIA as a benchmark in sustainable mobility and road safety
By contrast, Ben Sulayem has already confirmed his Presidential List — effectively the candidate’s cabinet slate — while Mayer has set out detailed Governance and Mobility plans and is expected to drop his Sports manifesto imminently.
That Presidential List is the crucial hurdle now confronting Villars. It must include roles such as president of the senate, deputy president for sport, deputy president for mobility and tourism, plus seven regional vice presidents (with Europe supplying two). The deadline to submit it is October 24.
There’s more. To even stand, a candidate’s List must be backed by at least six FIA automobile clubs, six mobility members and six sporting authorities. Candidates often spend months hopping continents to build that coalition. Mayer’s been at it for a while, and even he was considered a late starter for a presidential run. Villars is more than two months behind and will have to move fast to meet the thresholds.
A near-term waypoint arrives first: Friday, September 19 is the deadline for applications to the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council, a pool from which presidential candidates can populate their Lists. That gives Villars precious little room to breathe as she tries to assemble a credible ticket and secure signatures.
The calendar doesn’t care for sentiment, but there’s no denying the moment. If Villars formalises her candidacy, the FIA General Assembly will face a genuinely diverse field in December: an incumbent with an established programme, a seasoned administrator pitching reform, and a young active racer promising to reboot the federation’s relationship with its grassroots.
Whether the clubs buy into that fresh voice — and whether she can clear the procedural fences in time — is the question now. The window is open. It just won’t stay open for long.
Key dates and mechanics at a glance
– September 19: Deadline for World Motor Sport Council applications
– October 24: Presidential List submission deadline
– December 12: FIA election in Uzbekistan
– Support required: At least six automobile clubs, six mobility members, six sporting authorities must endorse the List before it goes to the General Assembly for a vote
We’ll know very soon if Laura Villars’ announcement turns into a full campaign — and whether motorsport’s governing body is on the verge of a first.
