Tim Mayer has insisted his candidacy for FIA president is “not about revenge,” but to restore transparency and end a “reign of terror” led by incumbent Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
Mayer, a respected motorsport official, was removed from his post as multiple series steward – including for Formula 1 – in November 2024 by Ben Sulayem, allegedly due to his involvement in the process of fining the organisers of that year’s United States Grand Prix.
Ben Sulayem has come under increasing fire from some quarters after a number of high-profile exits from the sport’s governing body, as well as the restructuring of the organisation.
Carlos Sainz Snr was the most recent individual to declare an interest in standing, but has since confirmed his withdrawal from the process.
But Mayer, who officially launched his bid – entitled ‘FIA Forward’ – near Silverstone ahead of this weekend’s British Grand Prix, is firm in his commitment to stand, but was clear that retribution was not the reason.
“Obviously, that [his sacking] was disappointing for me, he told media including Motorsport Week. “Because my commitment has always been to service.
“As you know, the stewards are volunteers, all volunteers. I have had the privilege of stewarding multiple championships across the FIA spectrum of sport.
“But this is not about that. What it did was give me an opportunity to sit down and reflect on where we are as a federation. And I have always been committed to service.
“When I was engaged as a professional organizer of IndyCar or as a professional organiser of sports cars, it was always about serving the people that worked for me, serving leadership.
“And what I see is a failure in leadership right now. So it’s given me an opportunity.
“This is not about revenge. It’s about how we can drive the FIA forward. It’s about what we can do better in this campaign and as we go forward four years after that.”
Mayer: The FIA has ‘never had less transparency’
Mayer outlined his desire to ensure trusted leadership of the lesser-seen personnel within the organisation, whom he believes are a cornerstone of it.
“They deserve leadership that provides them with tools, provides them with a vision, provides them with resources,” he said.
“And more than anything else, does not have a reign of terror every time they walk into the office.”
In a statement released upon his announcement, Mayer also suggested that Ben Sulayem’s tenure has been fraught with promising change, which he believes has not only been left unimplemented, but indeed, quite the opposite.
“Four years ago, Mohammed came up with some very good ideas,” he said. “His manifesto was bought into by all the clubs and he talked about empowerment, transparency and reform which are all values I completely believe it.
“However, we’ve never had less transparency that we have now and reform has meant a concentration of power in one office which goes against the meaning of the word.”
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