Laura Villars: A Surprising Candidate for FIA President
The Swiss racing driver, Laura Villars, has launched her candidacy for the presidency of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), a decision that, according to her, has been in preparation for months. Villars, 28, seeks to change the perception of the elections for the governing body of motorsport. Villars becomes the first woman and the youngest person to run for the position. She will face current president Mohammed Ben Sulayem and American motorsport official Tim Meyer in the December elections. The news of Villars’ candidacy came unexpectedly, without prior announcements. This situation generated some skepticism about the seriousness of his application.Villars has not yet submitted the documentation detailing his team for the presidential role, but has until October 24 to do so. The candidate hopes that her youth will bring a different perspective to that of Ben Sulayem (63 years old) and Meyer (59 years old). She dismissed the idea that the lack of experience in the world of motorsport is a factor against her.I have everything prepared, the whole program, all the equipment, which gives me a lot of confidence for this presidency. I have a great team, with many experienced people. Everything has been planned for several months.
Laura Villars
The key points of Villars’ agenda include empowering more clubs around the world, increasing transparency in governance, and improving the “Women in Motorsport” program. He also seeks to eliminate the barriers faced by rising race car drivers, of both sexes.I want to renew and refresh the FIA. I bring a new vision. I have been in motorsport all my life. My candidacy was perhaps unusual, perhaps, since yesterday. But I hope that from tomorrow it will be normal and that people will feel, I hope, inspired by it.
Laura Villars
The FIA presidency is decided by a vote of its member clubs, which represent the national motorsport and motor sport bodies around the world. The elections resemble political campaigns, with candidates seeking support before the vote, and their networks of officials are crucial. Villars claims to have the support of clubs from all over the world and an experienced team. The FIA vote will take place on December 12.For me, transparency is key to governance. The most important thing for me is democracy. I also want new programs for young pilots and female pilots, talented people, because in my career I met so many talented people who had to leave motorsport because they didn’t have the money to continue. I want to help talented people, women and men, to pursue their dreams.
Laura Villars
