FIA removes presidential term limits after Macau vote
"The term limits have been removed from FIA bodies"
Mohammed Ben Sulayem can now remain FIA president beyond the previous 12-year limit after the governing body’s members voted overwhelmingly to scrap presidential term limits.
The controversial proposal was approved at the FIA’s extraordinary general assembly in Macau, with an FIA spokesman confirming more than 90 percent of members voted in favour.
The move removes the three four-year term limit introduced under former FIA president Jean Todt after his predecessor, Max Mosley, served from 1993 to 2009.
Critics had argued the changes could allow Ben Sulayem to remain in office indefinitely.
Just before the vote, former FIA deputy president Robert Reid wrote on LinkedIn: "The FIA member clubs have some big decisions to make in Macau this week.
"The proposed statute changes are not a vote about loyalty to a person, nor should they be treated as routine administrative drafting. They affect the constitutional architecture of the FIA itself."
The FIA confirmed the statute changes.
"The term limits have been removed from FIA bodies, bringing them in line with the World Councils and the Senate," the federation said.
Ben Sulayem defended the reforms.
"The decisions approved by our Members here today reflect the continued progress we are making together as a Federation," he said.
"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 announced its strongest financial result in a decade, with an operating profit of 6.7 million euros.
"Six months into my second term as FIA President, I remain committed to ensuring a profitable and financially sustainable operation," Ben Sulayem added.
"I will continue to work closely with all stakeholders to drive positive change across the FIA and deliver long-term value for our Member Clubs, our Championships, our people, and our global mobility and motor sport communities."
The 64-year-old Emirati, re-elected unopposed last December, has recently spearheaded discussions about a return to V8 engines in Formula 1 from around 2030.