Mohammed Ben Sulayem becomes head of world motorsport's governing body

By Selcuk Bugra Gokalp

ANKARA (AA) – Mohammed Ben Sulayem has been elected as the new president of the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the governing body for world motorsport.

Ben Sulayem, who is from the UAE, received 61% of votes at the FIA Annual General Assembly in Paris on Friday, well ahead of British candidate Graham Stoker’s 36%.

He succeeds Frenchman Jean Todt, who was president since 2009 and served the maximum three terms possible, read a FIA statement.

Ben Sulayem, 60, has been president of the Emirates Motorsports Organization since 2005, and served as the FIA World Motor Sport Council vice president for Middle East.​​​​​​​