Mohammed Ben Sulayem looked set to win the FIA presidential election for a second term after Carlos Saniz Sr. ruled himself out of running for the job. However, former FIA employee and F1 race steward Tim Mayer has thrown his hat into the ring to challenge Ben Sulayem.
Ben Sulayem sacked Mayer after he had represented the Circuit of the Americas in a ‘right to review’ hearing after the track had been fined for an invasion following the race. Following eight months on the sidelines, Mayer has decided to run against his former boss. And Mayer has stated that he believes it will be “corrosive” if the current president remains in power.
Tim Mayer blasts the current FIA president, Mohammed Ben Suyalem
Tim Mayer originally believed in what Mohammed Ben Suyalem had stood for when running his election campaign in 2021. However, the American claims that the Emirati has failed to deliver on his promises. He believes another four years under the leadership of Ben Suyalem will be detrimental to the FIA and motorsport.
Speaking exclusively to The Race, Mayer claimed: “I think that word corrosive is ideal for this situation. It’s not a single blow to the organisation. It’s death by 1000 paper cuts. And I think that’s the problem.
“The FIA needs to be a respected organisation; a well-led organisation, a well-managed organisation, where a vision is articulated, where people are given the chance to execute on that vision, and people are encouraged to come to work every day. I think that’s the thing that I see is worst at the moment.”
Mayer had believed Ben Suyalem in 2021 when he had said he wanted transparency in the FIA. Mayer thought that message was the right one, but the current president had failed to deliver on that promise. And down to that, there are people who “regret” voting for him. This could lead to a change of leadership at the top, something Mayer could be counting on.
Tim Mayer says good relationships with drivers are critical
Under the leadership of Mohammed Ben Suyalem, there have been many disagreements with drivers. The most recent backlash from the drivers came when the FIA clamped down with stricter rules over swearing. The relationship between the drivers and FIA is at a low. But Mayer believes if he is voted in as president, he will change that.
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He continued: “I think the drivers are critical. Drivers want to be treated with respect. They want to be treated like adults. Everything they do is hugely risky, and to treat them as if they’re naughty school children is just not right.
“They need to know that we’ve got their back. They need to know that we’re worried about their safety, and they need to know that we respect that they are stars, that they have an opinion, and it’s a valuable opinion. For me, that relationship, absolutely, it can get better.
I’m somebody that’s good at listening. We can be good listeners. We can work with them, not fight against them, and have respect. Treating people with respect is pretty good, but for me, debate is the way to get to a better decision.”
Mayer now needs to finalise his team. There are rumours that former deputy president Robert Reid will join his campaign. It will be a hard-fought battle between Ben Sulayem and Mayer, but who will come out on top? Leave your comments below.
