F1 | FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem responds to accusations from rival Tim Mayer. FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem responds to sharp criticism from Tim Mayer.

F1 | Ben Sulayem defends leadership after harsh criticism ahead of FIA election

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, current President of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), has responded to strong accusations from his challenger Tim Mayer, who has officially launched his candidacy for the upcoming FIA presidential election scheduled for December 12.

Tim Mayer, an experienced motorsport official from the United States, has criticized Ben Sulayem for what he described as a centralization of power and a leadership style akin to a “reign of terror.” The comments have added fuel to an already tense political atmosphere ahead of the vote that will determine the future direction of the FIA.

Until recently, it seemed that Ben Sulayem might run unopposed after Carlos Sainz Sr., father of Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz Jr., withdrew his candidacy. However, Mayer’s decision to enter the race has reignited the debate over the governance of the international motorsport body.

Mayer has worked closely with the FIA over the past fifteen years as a long-standing member of its panel of race stewards. His relationship with Ben Sulayem deteriorated sharply following the controversial events at the 2024 United States Grand Prix in Austin. After the race ended, approximately 200 spectators made their way onto the track before all the cars had safely returned to the pits—an incident that prompted immediate backlash and raised serious safety concerns.

In the aftermath, Mayer was dismissed via a text message, a decision that left him deeply frustrated and apparently motivated to challenge Ben Sulayem’s leadership.

Ben Sulayem: “These are criticisms from people who were never part of the FIA”

In response to Mayer’s accusations, Mohammed Ben Sulayem offered a pointed rebuttal, distancing himself from the controversy and questioning his rival’s connection to the organization. Speaking to The Guardian, the Emirati president said:
“I feel sorry for people who say these things. They have nothing to do with the FIA. Tim Mayer worked as a steward, and being a steward doesn’t mean you are part of the FIA. You’re not part of the internal staff.”

Ben Sulayem declined to engage in a war of words, suggesting he was too focused on his broader responsibilities:
“I have many other things to do. I’m extremely busy, and I don’t intend to engage in this style of campaigning, responding to every comment. He is free to say whatever he wants.”

The FIA president also stressed that the organization is larger than any single individual and that the members will ultimately decide who should lead it going forward:
“The FIA is bigger than me and bigger than anyone else. The members are the ones who vote. If they choose me, or someone else—X, Y, or Z—that’s their decision. I know that what I’m doing is good for the members, and I’ve been very clear with them.”

Looking ahead to the crucial vote in December, Ben Sulayem concluded:
“We’ll wait for the General Assembly and see if they want to remove me. They have the power to do so.”