Who is the surprise late runner for FIA presidency?

On 12 December, the FIA presidential election will take place in Uzbekistan and ever since Carlos Sainz Sr withdrew his intention to run, it was set to be a head-to-head between incumbent Mohammed Ben Sulayem and challenger Tim Mayer.

But, out of the blue this week, a surprise candidate declared her intention to run for FIA presidency: Laura Villars, a 28-year-old Italian-Swiss from Geneva.

In her press release, Villars stated that she wants the FIA to be “more democratic, more transparent, more responsible,” and “open to women and new generations.” She added: “I strongly believe that motorsport needs diversity and innovation to keep inspiring younger generations worldwide.”

Villars’ public profile has skyrocketed over the past 48 hours following the announcement. Major outlets across the globe have picked up the story, with her social media following gaining a boost in the process.

The FIA has stated that Villars has not yet formally declared her intention to run. Official nominations open on 3 October and she has until 24 October to submit her candidacy along with her presidential list – essentially her would-be cabinet at the FIA.

That list must include 10 members: a senate president, a deputy president for sport, a deputy president for mobility and tourism, plus seven vice presidents for sport. In addition, any candidate needs the backing of several member clubs to be eligible.

“I’m talking now with all the clubs, especially Europe,” Villars told Autosport/Motorsport.com sister site Motorsport-Total.com, adding: “All the clubs that will support me will be announced in the next weeks. I’m not able now to tell names. But I’m talking with a lot of them.”

Villars also recounted her racing background, including stints in Formula 4 and the Ferrari Challenge in the Middle East. “I’m totally in motorsports since few years now. And since I’m in motorsport, I noticed a few things that I wanted to change a bit.”

Part of those changes is strengthening the role of women in motorsport, Villars said: “I always militate for women. And I really respect women like Susie Wolf about what she did with F1 Academy. I really respect also Michele Mouton. She was a big driver also in the past. And all those women that are breaking barriers. And for me, nowadays, I think it’s the time to break barriers, especially as a woman and as a young person also.”

But her announcement has been met with questions, as one insider speaking anonymously, put it: “Within the FIA environment, there aren’t many competent people who can really help with such a campaign. I’ve spoken to some of these people, and none of them know Laura Villars. I find it hard to imagine she can put together a professional team.”

Villars insists, however, that she will not stand alone: “I come here with a full and a big team around me, people that are much older, much more experienced than me, and that have all the capacities. I have my full programme, and they will see the list in a few weeks. So, I have nothing to prove.”

When asked if she truly believes she has a chance of being elected FIA president, she replied: “Yes, of course. The list and the programme will be announced in the next days. My candidacy is very serious, and all the points that I mentioned will be published online. I don’t want to explain more about it, because I think people don’t understand. But I have all my team behind.”

Laura Villars

Photo by: Laura Villars

Since announcing her FIA ambitions, her Instagram following has grown by around 10,000, while the profile links to her own YouTube channel that so far has five videos uploaded since early August. One of them has already racked up more than half a million views.

Such social profiles do little to dispel suspicions that this might be more about self-promotion than a serious campaign. But on LinkedIn, Villars presents herself as a successful entrepreneur and founder or co-founder of three companies: Villars Racing Management, the LSVM Group, and Starimmobilier.

As much as it would benefit the FIA to finally have a woman at its helm, the odds of Villars rallying enough support to mount a serious challenge to Ben Sulayem and Mayer appear small at this stage. But should she follow through with her candidacy, at the very least she will have proven wrong those who dismissed her announcement.