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The Formula 1 governing body, Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), is facing legal scrutiny on multiple fronts. Three separate lawsuits, filed across France and the UK, are testing its transparency, fairness, and internal governance. What began as isolated challenges has now converged into a storm of accountability, putting the sport’s global regulator in one of its most complex legal situations to date. Laura Villars Challenges FIA Election Rules (France) Swiss-French driver Laura Villars has launched a legal case in Paris against the FIA’s upcoming presidential election, scheduled for December. Villars argues that the FIA’s rules unfairly favor the incumbent, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, by requiring all presidential candidates to submit a full slate of regional vice-presidents before even being allowed to stand. According to her claim, this restriction makes it nearly impossible for challengers to enter the race. Her legal filing requests the French court to suspend the election pending a ruling. “Democracy is not a threat to the FIA; it is its strength,” Villars told the BBC. The hearing will take place on November 10 in Paris. If the court rules in Villars’ favor, it could prompt major reforms to the FIA’s internal voting system and leadership structure, an unprecedented development for the motorsport’s governing body. Felipe Massa’s 2008 Title Fight Returns to Court (UK) Meanwhile, in London, former Ferrari driver Felipe Massa continues his pursuit of justice over the infamous 2008 “Crashgate” scandal. The Brazilian is suing Formula One Management (FOM), Bernie Ecclestone, and the FIA for approximately $85 million in damages. Massa argues that the deliberate crash by Nelson Piquet during the Singapore GP, a move that helped Fernando Alonso win the race, directly cost him the world championship that year. He claims senior figures “knew and covered up” the truth at the time, preventing appropriate action. The defendants, however, have asked the court to dismiss the case, arguing the claim is both time-barred and that Ferrari’s own race errors were to blame. A recent High Court session heard arguments from both sides, marking the first major step in what could become the most significant retrospective legal challenge in F1 history. If Massa prevails, it could set a precedent allowing past race results to be revisited, a scenario the FIA and Formula 1 have both long sought to avoid. Susie Wolff’s Defamation Lawsuit Continues (France) Meanwhile, Susie Wolff, managing director of the F1 Academy, is pursuing a criminal complaint against the FIA in the French courts. The action follows a December 2023 FIA investigation into an alleged “conflict of interest” between Wolff’s role in the F1 Academy and her husband Toto Wolff’s position as Mercedes team principal. Though the FIA dropped the probe within two days, the damage, she argues, was already done. “People can have their opinions on [whether] what I do is good or not. But that’s something I won’t allow to happen, that people attack my integrity,” Wolff told The Times. Her lawsuit accuses the FIA of mishandling communication about the investigation. The case has already prompted internal discussions about the FIA’s public relations process and the independence of its ethics committee. Lewis Hamilton Is In the Midst of It Notably, Wolff’s case also received backing from the then-Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton. “Firstly, I’m incredibly proud of Susie. I think she’s so brave and she stands for such great values,” he said ahead of the 2024 Australian GP, according to Sky Sports. “She’s such a leader, and in a world where often people are silenced, for her to be standing up sends such a great message. And I love that she’s taken it out of this world, fighting it from outside because there is a real lack of accountability here within this sport, within the FIA, things that are happening behind closed doors,” he added. Wolff, in a recent podcast appearance on High Performance, talked about Hamilton’s influence in the sport and his support. “Lewis has always been someone [who] has been willing to use his voice for good,” she said. “He’s had such a big impact in his sport. It was no surprise for me that he was one to stand up and speak, because he is always the one [who] stands up to speak when there’s something to be said,” Wolff added. He “doesn’t get enough credit,” Wolff stated on Hamilton’s impact on the Formula 1 world. On the other hand, Massa’s lawsuit may not overturn his 2008 title win; however, it might cast a shadow over Hamilton’s first championship if the court rules in Massa’s favor. What It Means for the FIA Each lawsuit targets a different pillar of the FIA’s structure. Villars challenges democratic governance, Massa questions sporting fairness, and Wolff highlights transparency issues. Taken together, they form a portrait of an organization under pressure, not just from competitors or fans, but from within its own ecosystem. The coming months will be crucial, with outcomes that could influence everything from leadership legitimacy to how past controversies are handled.
