At almost 33 years old, Virginie Philippot joins Tim Mayer, Laura Villars, and outgoing president Mohammed Ben Sulayem in the race for the presidency of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile. Philippot announced her candidacy for the presidency of the FIA in a post on her Instagram account.
“I am running for the FIA Presidency. Not to be the ‘first,’ but to ensure I am not the last. I believe motorsport should reflect the real world—bold, diverse, and united. As a woman with a global vision and deep roots, I am here to open doors that have remained closed for too long. Let’s build an FIA that is truly inclusive of every voice, every story, every passion. The race to the future starts now.”
A model who competed in the Miss Belgium pageant in 2012 and Miss International in 2017, Virginie Philippot also founded the Drive For Hope association, an association dedicated to helping orphans in the Democratic Republic of Congo and supporting education in the country. Passionate about motorsport for many years, she also participated in Season 6 of the TF1 show Secret Story.
The FIA presidential election will take place on December 12 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The elected president will serve a four-year term. Mohammed Ben Sulayem was elected FIA President in 2021, succeeding Frenchman Jean Todt.
Who can apply?
Each candidate must be a member of an FIA-affiliated club and is running alongside a Senate President and must also choose one Vice President and seven Vice Presidents for Sport, as well as one Vice President and seven Vice Presidents for Automotive, Mobility and Tourism.
Candidates for the positions of President and Vice-President must be under 70 years of age on election day, and an FIA President may not serve more than three four-year terms, for a maximum of 12 years. For a list to be eligible, it must have the support of a certain number of members from the fields of sport and mobility.
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