Former international model causes shock by launching bid for FIA presidency

Journalist and former international model Virginie Philippot has become the latest person to declare her candidacy for the presidency of the FIA. Due to be held in December this year in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, the election was expected to be between incumbent Mohammed Ben Sulayem, and former F1 chief race steward Tim Mayer, who launched his bid on the eve of the British Grand Prix. However, just before the Azerbaijan GP, a new candidate entered the race, with Swiss racing driver Laura Villars declaring her intention to stand - becoming the first woman to do so, with Philippot now becoming the second. A former international model who stood for Miss Belgium 2012 and Miss International 2017, Belgian Philippot has no racing experience, beyond guest and sponsor appearances at a number of events.  In a social media post declaring her intention to run, she wrote that "I’m running for the presidency of the FIA. Not to be the « first » But to make sure l’m 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’m here to open doors that have stayed closed for too long. "Let’s build a (sic) FIA that’s truly inclusive for every voice, every story, every passion. The race for the future starts now." The bids of both Villars and Philippot are not expected to gain much traction, with Ben Sulayem widely expected to earn another four-year term of office, having succeeded Jean Todt in December 2021.

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