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
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