Laura Villars has announced her candidacy for the presidency of the International Automobile Federation (FIA), making her the third candidate to participate in the elections on December 12, 2025, in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Notably, Villars is the first woman ever to run for this position.
The Swiss entrepreneur and racer will compete against the current president, Mohamed Ben Sulayem, and former FIA steward Tim Mayer.
In her statement, Villars emphasized the importance of a more open and inclusive federation. “The FIA must once again become the federation of clubs and license holders,” Villars said. “My ambition is a board that is more democratic, transparent, accountable, and open to women and new generations. I am convinced that motorsport needs diversity and innovation to continue inspiring young generations worldwide.”
The 28-year-old Villars has experience in various racing classes, including Formula 3 and Formula 4. She currently competes in the Ligier European Series, in the JS P4 category for sports prototypes. However, it remains to be seen whether she stands a real chance. Mohammed Ben Sulayem is considered the overwhelming favorite.
