Laura Villars has announced she has joined the race to be elected FIA president - though she has only 24 hours to meet the first entry deadline.
Swiss racing driver Villars is the first female to ever run for the role, according to a press release announcing her candidacy, and joins incumbent president Mohamed Ben Sulayem and former FIA steward Tim Mayer in competition to be elected on December 12, 2025. It takes place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
But there are significant hurdles to be cleared for her entry to be lodged: significantly, the requirement for her proposed list of World Motor Sport Council members to be submitted by September 19 (Friday).
The Race understands the FIA administration department is not in receipt of her entry and has had no official notification of it.
"The FIA must once again be the federation of clubs and license holders," said Villars, an entrepreneur as well as a racing driver.
"My ambition is a governance that is more democratic, more transparent, more responsible, and open to women and new generations.
"I strongly believe that motorsport needs diversity and innovation to keep inspiring younger generations worldwide."
Villars has set out a clear agenda for her campaign after announcing her bid.
Villars' agenda
- Empower clubs through regular consultations and participatory governance
- Strengthen transparency in finance and decision-making
- Introduce an "FIA eco-performance" label recognising sustainability leadership
- Enhance the Women in Motorsport programme (Girls on Track, mentoring) and establish a FIA Young Leaders Academy
- Position the FIA as a global benchmark in sustainable mobility and road safety
Villars is 28 years old, and has competed across a range of racing series, including Formula 3 and Formula 4-based single-seater categories.
She currently races in the Ligier European Series, in a JSP4 car - an entry-level sports prototype.
