Paris court sends Villars-FIA election dispute to full trial

The legal challenge brought by rejected FIA presidential candidate Laura Villars against motorsport’s governing body has cleared its first hurdle, after the Paris Judicial Court determined that her case should proceed to a full trial to assess its merits.

While the court declined to halt next week’s FIA presidential election, it acknowledged that the issues she raised warrant examination – leaving lingering uncertainty over whether the upcoming vote’s result will ultimately stand.

Incumbent FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem will run unopposed in the election scheduled for 12 December in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, after all three prospective challengers – Tim Mayer, Villars, and Virginie Philippot – failed to secure the level of member-club backing required under FIA rules.

Villars, however, launched legal action in Paris arguing that irregularities in the process justified a postponement.

Court Rejects Emergency Request but Validates Standing

Judge Malik Chapuis ruled against granting “interim relief,” meaning the election will proceed as planned. But in a notable development, the court rejected the FIA’s argument that neither Villars nor Mayer – whose FIA Forward group supported the challenge – had the legal standing to file their action.

Chapuis also emphasized that the matter was “not established with the degree of obviousness required in interim proceedings,” signalling that the claims need to be examined in a more thorough setting.

Villars interpreted the decision as a crucial step forward for her case. In a statement, she said Chapuis “held that the irregularities raised regarding the presidential election must be examined”.

Her lawyer, Robin Binsard, reinforced that the legal fight is far from over.

“We will therefore continue this litigation against the FIA before the judges sitting on the merits. A first hearing is scheduled for 16 February 2026.”

FIA Forward: 'Today’s judgement is not the end'

FIA Forward, the reform-focused movement led by Tim Mayer, issued its own statement highlighting that the ruling opens the path to a full trial:

“Today’s judgment is not the end of the legal process. As stated by Laura Villars’ attorney, Maître Robin Binsard, ‘The emergency-proceedings judge held that this dispute belongs before the trial court, and we will therefore continue this case against the FIA before the judges who hear matters on the merits. A first hearing is scheduled for 16 February 2026.’”

The group reiterated that Villars’ action is supported by Mayer’s campaign, which has long argued that the FIA’s current election framework lacks the transparency and accountability necessary for members to properly evaluate different leadership visions.

FIA Forward added that it “will continue to advocate for integrity, transparency and genuine democratic practice within our governing structures as the case proceeds to a full hearing on the merits in February.”

FIA Responds as Election Proceeds

The FIA acknowledged the Paris court’s decision in its own statement and confirmed that the presidential election will take place as scheduled:

“The French Court has issued its decision on 3rd December, confirming that the election for the President of the FIA will proceed on 12th December at the FIA General Assemblies in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

“The FIA remains focused on the forthcoming General Assemblies and discussing with its member clubs globally important issues for both motorsport and automotive mobility.”

Although the FIA will hold its presidential vote next week, the legal process continues to cast a shadow over the legitimacy of the result. With a full trial now set in motion and hearings beginning in February 2026, the long-term outcome remains uncertain.

For Villars and FIA Forward, the court’s recognition that the dispute should move forward represents an important victory – and raises questions about the governance procedures at the heart of motorsport’s global administration.

Read also: FIA confirms Ben Sulayem’s solo run in presidential election

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