Swiss lawyer Laura Villars has launched legal action against the FIA, claiming that the upcoming presidential election lacks fairness and transparency. The Paris court will hold a first hearing on 10 November.

The election is set for 12 December, but only current president Mohammed Ben Sulayem is eligible to run. FIA rules require each candidate to present seven vice-presidents from different world regions. Since Fabiana Ecclestone is the only eligible representative from South America and is already on Ben Sulayem’s team, no other candidate can meet the criteria.

Former FIA steward Tim Mayer recently withdrew his own candidacy, criticising what he called an “illusion of democracy” within the federation.

Villars is now asking the court to delay the election until the rules and procedures are reviewed.

“I have twice tried to open a constructive dialogue with the FIA on essential matters such as internal democracy and the transparency of electoral rules. The responses received were not up to the challenge. I am not acting against the FIA. I am acting to protect it. Democracy is not a threat to the FIA; it is its strength,” Villars said in her statement.

According Villars, the court has invited both sides to a mediation session.

“I will go to this meeting with calm, openness, and determination. I hope it will lead to real dialogue for a more modern and fair FIA,” Villars added.

Her move has been welcomed by Tim Mayer’s FIA Forward platform, which called it a positive step toward better governance and accountability.