Mohammed Ben Sulayem here for the long run as FIA amend presidential term limits
F1 NewsThursday, 25 June 2026 at 17:41
The FIA has approved a constitutional amendment removing term limits for its president, paving the way for Mohammed Ben Sulayem to remain in office beyond the previous maximum of three four year terms.
The proposal was passed by an overwhelming majority at the FIA's Extraordinary General Assemblies in Macau, with an FIA spokesperson confirming that more than 90% of delegates voted in favour.
Ben Sulayem, 64, was recently re elected unopposed for a second term as FIA president. Under the previous rules, introduced during the presidency of Jean Todt after the long tenure of Max Mosley, presidents were limited to serving three four year terms.
The FIA confirmed the constitutional change in a statement following Thursday's vote.
According to the BBC, citing sources familiar with Ben Sulayem's intentions, the FIA president ultimately wants to remove age restrictions as well, potentially allowing him to remain in office indefinitely. Neither the FIA nor Ben Sulayem immediately commented on that report.
In a statement after the vote, Ben Sulayem welcomed the outcome: "These decisions reflect the continued progress we are making together as a federation," while highlighting stronger governance, improved financial discipline and a clear long term vision for the organisation.
The vote comes on the same day the FIA announced its strongest financial performance in a decade. Its 2025 annual report showed an operating profit of €6.7 million, up 43% on the previous year, marking a dramatic turnaround from the €24 million operating loss recorded in 2021.
FIA Presidents
Emirati Mohammed Ben Sulayem is the first non-European FIA President.
- Étienne de Zuylen van Nyevelt (1904 to 1931)
- Robert de Vogüé (1931 to 1936)
- Victor Hemsy (1936 to 1958)
- Wilfrid Andrews (1958 to 1963)
- Stanley Sears (1963 to 1965)
- Prince Metternich (1965 to 1975)
- Jean-Marie Balestre (1975 to 1991)
- Max Mosley (1993 to 2009)
- Jean Todt (2009 to 2021)
- Mohammed Ben Sulayem (2021 to present).
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