A rival for Ben Sulayem: Tim Mayer seeks FIA presidency

Tim Mayer announced his candidacy for the FIA presidency during a press conference held Friday morning, on the sidelines of the British Grand Prix. At 59, the American becomes the first to officially position himself against Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the outgoing president who wishes to seek a second term.

Mayer had been dismissed last November by Ben Sulayem, informed of his termination by a simple text message according to his own statements. This eviction followed his role in the review procedure initiated by the Circuit of the Americas after the 500,000 euro fine imposed by the FIA, 350,000 euros of which was suspended until December 2026, for the track invasion by spectators at the end of the United States Grand Prix.

A 34-year career in motorsport

Son of Teddy Mayer, co-founder of McLaren, Tim Mayer justifies his candidacy with a twofold observation: “This is due to two essential elements,” he explains. “On one hand, it seems obvious to me that the FIA can—and must—do better. On the other hand, I have many friends, both in sport and in the mobility sector, who share a certain form of discouragement with the current situation. I’ve been involved in this field for 34 years, and it’s becoming difficult to remain a spectator.”

His career in motorsport began in American open-wheel racing, where he held various positions ranging from television producer to organizer and official. He then climbed the ranks to become Senior Vice President of Racing Operations at Champ Car, then General Manager of IMSA before joining the FIA as race director and steward.

In 2016, he was appointed president of the stewards in Formula 1, a position he held for 15 years until his departure last year. He also oversaw the organization of FIA championships in the United States.

A campaign called FIA Forward

Mayer presents his campaign under the slogan FIA Forward, advocating for a new energy, a clear vision, and a return to integrity within our federation. According to several sources, he has been preparing his candidacy for over six months.

During the announcement of his candidacy, he openly expressed his criticisms of the current administration: « These past four years have been marked by a series of regulatory changes that greatly complicate the task for any potential candidate. Today, the game is as rigged as it can be », he stated, pointing a finger at the changes made to the FIA statutes.

The entry of Mayer comes shortly after the withdrawal of Carlos Sainz Sr., double world rally champion and father of the Williams driver. The latter had explained that he would not run due to unfavorable circumstances for building a solid candidacy.

This withdrawal left Mohammed Ben Sulayem without any declared opposition, which could deprive the FIA members of a real choice at the general assembly scheduled for December in Uzbekistan.

A disputed mandate for Ben Sulayem

Elected in December 2021, Ben Sulayem succeeded Jean Todt, who had reached the end of his three terms. Since then, his administration has been marked by tensions, notably highlighted by the departure of several executives, including Robert Reid, then deputy vice-president for sport, who left his position in April citing an internal crisis.

Voices have also been raised against the reforms undertaken under his leadership, notably the tightening of presidential candidacy requirements and adjustments in the ethics and complaint handling processes.

Despite this, the team in place has enabled the FIA to return to profitability after a final deficit year under the Todt era.

The next steps

Before officially appearing on the electoral list, Mayer will have to form a leadership team covering several regions of the world, as required by the regulations. His candidacy will then be reviewed by the nomination committee, a structure that directly depends on the current president.

For many observers, the presence of an alternative candidate could bring a necessary debate. George Russell, Mercedes driver and director of the drivers’ association (GPDA), stated on Thursday: “Competition is always beneficial. When two people are fighting for a position, each gives their best.”

The election will be held on December 12, during the annual general assembly in Uzbekistan. It is the national member federations of the FIA that will designate the president for a four-year term.