International Automobile Federation (FIA) announced on Friday Mohammed Ben Sulayem has won the election to succeed Jean Todt as motorsport’s world governing body’s first non-European president. Sulayem will take over the reins of motorsport’s world governing body from Todd, who completed his third term as FIA president in 2021. The vote was held at the FIA General Assembly on Friday.
Frenchman Todt, the former Ferrari boss, retired age 75 after three terms in office. He remains honorary chairman after standing unopposed in 2017.
Ben Sulayem, 60, a former rally driver born in Dubai, stood against British barrister Graham Stoker, who had been Todt’s deputy president for sport since 2009.
Before moving into governance, Sulayem enjoyed a long career as a rally driver, winning the FIA Middle East Rally Championship on fourteen occasions. Previously, he served as the vice president for sport for the FIA, and he was the first Arab elected to the World Motor Sport Council of the FIA. Furthermore, Sulayem was also overseeing the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and its inclusion on the Formula 1 calendar in 2009.
The International Automobile Federation (FIA) governs Formula One, the World Rally Championship, World Endurance as well as Formula E among other series.
