FIA president has not kept his promises and is centralising power

Tim Mayer admits he must prove he is the person who can bring about the changes he insists are required within the FIA after announcing he will run for presidency of motorsport’s world governing body.

When Carlos Sainz Sr revealed he had opted against challenging Mohammed Ben Sulayem, it appeared the current incumbent was set to run unopposed in December’s election, as he aims for a second term in office.

However, Mayer, who served as a Formula 1 steward for over 15 years, has now thrown his hat into the ring as a contender for the FIA top job and, in an exclusive interview with Autosport, the 59-year-old American laid out why he believes Ben Sulayem needs to be replaced.

“It comes from a combination of wanting to and needing to,” he said about why he had decided to run. “I have had the opportunity over the last six months to consider what would be required to lead the FIA and what I have discovered is that the member clubs deserve better.

“Mohammed Ben Sulayem made promises three and a half years ago that were good ideas – transparency, governance, he even promised he would be a non-executive president. He hasn’t delivered on those ideas. In fact, it has been quite the opposite.

“There are lots of reasons I have decided this is the right thing to do, I could go on and on about them. We can be, and must be, better partners with international championships and drivers. I understand how to treat people with respect, especially those who have earned it by reaching the pinnacle of their careers.

“I will champion the small clubs, being honest about the change that is required and what I would want to bring about. Leadership should not be about personality, and I have 34 years’ experience. I understand what it takes, I have an opportunity to give back to the sport.”

Ben Sulayem’s tenure has been marred with controversy, with a raft of high-profile FIA departures taking place in recent times and a rift with drivers after issuing new governance over swearing rules.

The son of Teddy Mayer, who took over ownership of McLaren in 1970, Tim Mayer claimed in November 2024 that his departure from his long-standing role of FIA steward was due to his involvement in a hearing into a fine for the United States Grand Prix promoter following a track invasion.

Mayer said Ben Sulayem felt some of the right of review documentation presented a “personal attack on him,” and that he had been sacked from his duties by text message.

However, Mayer insists that restoring the FIA’s values, not revenge for his sacking, is the primary motivator behind his presidential run.

“The test of true leadership is nurturing people, the FIA has been a roundabout – attracting some of the best talent and then forcing them out when they tell the truth, it is all very concerning,” he told Autosport.

“They all seemed to have faced a reality they did not expect, the FIA had some serious people who have seen inside and said, ‘not for me’. Members of the World Motorsport Council are being told they can’t talk to members and clubs about the latest meetings. Debate has to occur, it is the first step to making good decisions, I would change those things extremely quickly.”

Mohammed ben Sulayem, FIA President

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images

Ben Sulayem clashed with drivers across several series when insisting swearing should be banned in FIA-sanctioned motorsport events and there, too, is a relationship Mayer is keen to rebuild should he be given the keys to the castle later this year.

“You must understand drivers are the core, they are the stars of our sports. You need to partner with them, nurture the relationships, that is when we see the sport thrive. That is not just about the drivers but all the stakeholders, they all deserve respect,” he said.

“No-one is a child, these people are at the peak of their careers and need to be treated with dignity and respect.

“Many people have missed that in the individual statute changes; they might be seen as being about integrity or modernising but take all of them together and you can clearly see it is about putting more and more power into the office of one man.”

Mayer insists he is also keen to push the FIA forwards regarding its commitment to mobility, while he is undeterred by a recent show of support for Ben Sulayem in the form of a letter signed by 36 automobile clubs.

“The regulations as they are written are for the benefit of the incumbent but my job and responsibility is to go door to door, to those who have a vote and explain there is a better way, they haven’t had another option in three and a half years,” added Mayer.

“When a letter is shoved under your nose and you are told ‘sign this, or else’ anyone is going to sign it. But the only vote that counts are in December, that process will still have full democracy. I need to earn their trust, earn their votes and demonstrate myself and my team is strong enough to bring about change.”