The court in Paris has authorized the FIA election to move forward.

      The FIA presidential election is set to take place on December 12, although a court in Paris has declined to validate the process, giving Laura Villars a significant early success in her challenge against Mohammed Ben Sulayem's uncontested re-election. Villars, who sought to run for the position, withdrew after learning that only Ben Sulayem could legally stay on the ballot due to a rule requiring candidates to select seven vice-presidents from various global regions. For the South American position, only Fabiana Ecclestone qualified and she stated that she would only run with Ben Sulayem’s list. This situation effectively excluded Villars, Tim Mayer, and any other contenders, leading Villars to request an emergency injunction to halt the election entirely. On Wednesday, it was reported that the Paris court issued its initial ruling—while the election can proceed, the FIA has not been given a clean bill of health. Villars' legal team remarked in a statement, "We acknowledge the ruling from the Paris court in the matter between Laura Villars and the FIA. The judge rejected all of the FIA’s arguments." Importantly, the judge mandated a thorough investigation into the alleged irregularities in the election system. "The judge has not provided a ruling on the substantive issues. Furthermore, he has mandated that the alleged irregularities related to the elections must be examined by the judges addressing the case on its merits," the statement from the lawyers noted. A comprehensive hearing is set for February 16 next year, meaning the legality of Ben Sulayem’s second term will be contested after his inauguration. Villars initially requested the court to "order the suspension of the FIA presidential election scheduled for December 12," emphasizing a "strange twist in the rules" that made her candidacy unfeasible. Villars’ attorney, Robin Binsard, confirmed that the legal battle is now entering a more profound phase. "The urgent applications judge has determined that this dispute should be addressed based on its merits, and we will continue our case against the FIA before the judges considering the merits."