Laura Villars from Vaud is suing the International Federation

Laura Villars, from the canton of Vaud, who was barred from running for president of the International Automobile Federation (FIA), filed a lawsuit against the organization on Wednesday to challenge the voting rules. According to her, these rules prohibit any opponent of the current president, Emirati Mohammed bin Sulayem, from running.

The summary proceedings application, revealed by AFP, asks the Paris High Court to "order the suspension of the FIA ​​presidential election (scheduled for December 12 in Uzbekistan) until a decision is reached on the merits of this dispute." A preliminary hearing has been set for November 10 at the High Court.

Modified in June by the current leadership, the election regulations require candidates to present a list including seven vice-presidents from the six world regions (two for Europe, one each for North America, South America, the Middle East and North Africa, Africa, and Asia-Oceania) and drawn from a list approved by the FIA. However, only one person representing South America appears on this list: Fabiana Ecclestone, the wife of Bernie Ecclestone, the former head of F1. And she has agreed to be included on the list of the incumbent president, who is running for re-election.

"Under these conditions, no competing list could include, among its seven vice-presidents, a vice-president for the South American region, the latter already participating in the list of the outgoing presidency," observes Laura Villars in her summons which denounces a "violation of the principle of associative democracy and pluralism provided for (in the) statutes of the FIA."

The deadline for submitting applications was set for October 24th.

“I have twice attempted to open a constructive dialogue with the FIA ​​on essential issues such as internal democracy and the transparency of electoral rules. The responses received were inadequate,” Laura Villars explained in a statement to AFP. “I am not acting against the FIA, I am acting to preserve it. Democracy is not a threat to the FIA, it is its strength,” continued the 28-year-old driver and entrepreneur from the French Riviera, who, when announcing her candidacy in September , told AFP she wanted to revitalize the century-old organization by “putting young people and women first.”

Based in Paris, the FIA ​​is responsible for organizing the Formula 1 and Rally World Championships, as well as promoting road safety. It has more than 240 clubs in 146 countries, representing approximately 80 million members.

"We have obtained permission to serve the summons on an hourly basis," according to an emergency procedure, added Laura Villars' lawyer, Robin Binsard, "which demonstrates that the justice system is carefully considering the serious democratic shortcomings within the FIA, as well as the various violations of the statutes and regulations that we are denouncing."

The issue of the ineligibility to run for president had already been raised in mid-October on the sidelines of the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix in Austin by American Tim Mayer, former FIA sporting commissioner, who also wanted to run for the presidency. "The FIA's electoral process heavily favors the incumbent team, and other candidates don't even have a chance to reach the starting line; it's a one-horse race," he said, denouncing an "illusion of democracy."

Former rally driver Mohamed Ben Sulayem succeeded Frenchman Jean Todt at the end of 2021. His first term was turbulent. He notably alienated Formula 1 and rally drivers by imposing hefty fines for using profanity during televised broadcasts. Faced with the outcry this measure provoked, he ultimately decided to halve the fines.

In April, Robert Reid, FIA vice-president in charge of sport and close to Ben Sulayem, resigned, sharply criticizing the president's governance and denouncing a lack of transparency.

Agence France-Presse (AFP) is a global news agency. It is one of the international news sources used by 20 Minutes.