Swiss racing driver Laura Villars has hit back at suggestions her FIA presidential campaign is a publicity stunt designed to boost her social media profile — insisting her Instagram pictures have nothing to do with her ambition to become the first female head of world motorsport’s governing body.
The 28-year-old, who boasts more than 110,000 Instagram followers and is known for posting glamorous travel snaps and bikini photos, dismissed claims that her online persona undermines her candidacy.
“Do these people also have these doubts about my competitors? No. I don’t want to comment further,” Villars told BILD.
“Why should it impact my bid? I am who I am. And I’m competing with a strong programme. That’s what should count.”
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Villars’ candidacy represents a major shake-up in what had been expected to be a smooth re-election process for current FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
Ben Sulayem had been preparing to run unopposed until American motorsport official Tim Mayer launched his bid in the summer.
Now Villars’ late decision to enter the race has turned the campaign into a potentially historic three-way contest.
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Laura Villars often updates her fans on social media
|If she submits her presidential list before the October 24 deadline, Villars will be the first woman to run for the presidency in the FIA’s 120-year history.
She has positioned her campaign around transparency, diversity and innovation, promising to create a “FIA Young Leaders Academy”, expand the “Women in Motorsport” initiative and roll out a new “FIA Eco-Performance” project to drive sustainability across global motorsport.
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Laura Villars is keen to lead the FIA
|“The FIA must once again be the federation of clubs and licence holders,” she said.
“My ambition is a governance that is more democratic, more transparent, more responsible, and open to women and new generations.
“I strongly believe that motorsport needs diversity and innovation to keep inspiring younger generations worldwide.”
Villars, who began racing in karting before moving into GT competition, says her passion for motorsport began with her father, who took her to watch races as a child.
“My time with Michael Schumacher inspired me,” she said. “At 14, I was allowed to test a Formula Four car for the first time.”
She insists her campaign is not about image but about meaningful change.
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Laura Villars is keen to topple Mohammed Ben Sulayem in the battle to be FIA president
|GETTY
“I think now is the right time to not be shy as a woman and to overcome barriers,” she said.
“I’ve been preparing my candidacy with a large team over the past few months. I enjoy competition, and when I set my mind to something, I see it through to the end.”
Under FIA election rules, Villars and her team must formally register their bid between October 3 and 24.
If successful, she would not only become the first female president in FIA history but also one of the youngest figures ever to take on the role.