Mohammed Ben Sulayem has answered the claims from his challenger to the FIA presidency, Tim Mayer, that his tenure has been a “reign of terror”.
The Emirati faces potential competition for the role from the American, who was removed from his post as a multi-series steward within the FIA last year.
Mayer, a highly respected figure within motorsport, formally announced his candidacy last Friday, ahead of the Formula 1 British Grand Prix weekend at Silverstone.
The 59-year-old was damning of what he described as Ben Sulayem’s “reign of terror,”, stating there has been a “failure in leadership” and that the FIA has “never had less transparency”.
In an interview with The Race, Ben Sulayem was asked whether he was irritated by Mayer’s criticism and said public criticism of others is not his style.
“Not really. It’s just that some people are disconnected to the FIA,” he said.
“At the time of elections, we say a tongue has no bones. They can say whatever they feel if that’s the way to get them electoral votes.
“But let me ask you a question: have you ever read any article where I mentioned someone in a bad way? No. Thank you. That’s not my style.
“My style is connecting with the members, listening to them, and having the trust with them. That’s the only thing.”
Ben Sulayem also laid down an offer to those critical of the FIA’s practices under his reign to visit its headquarters, to get a glimpse of what he says really goes on.
“Have you been in the office of the FIA? I would like you to go to Geneva and go to Paris to see [what it is like] – and you are the one who decides if it is a reign of terror.
“No. People can speak and I am not a one-man show, because everything goes through governance [processes], and we have our ethics [committees].
“So really, it doesn’t bother me at all. I wish him well, whoever comes.”
Ben Sulayem responds to Mayer’s ‘illusion’ claims; welcomes more candidates
Ben Sulayem also seemed to challenge Mayer’s assertion that he had taken too much credit for the FIA’s upward financial trajectory in its post-Covid years.
“The numbers never lie. With accounts, you press a button, and you go and look at the financials,” he explained.
“We have governance procedures, we have world councils and we have a bigger body, which is the general assembly.
“So we have smart people asking questions – with internal audits and external audits.
“And all of that is an illusion? No. We are a federation that is monitored, and we also watch what we do because we have a lot of people to answer to, which are our members.”
Ben Sulayem, however, conveyed his openness for an election, welcoming the fact that another individual is putting their name forward to potentially ensure a full election.
“It is a democratic system,” he said. “Perhaps, it’s too democratic, because if you look at the guidelines of the IOC [International Olympic Committee], which we follow, they say that anyone – even you – can stand.
“But can you do that in FIFA [football’s governing body]? No. Can you do it in the IOC? Never!
“I welcome anyone coming forward. Maybe I will have to get my helmet back and go back to rallying. So, I mean, he’s most welcome to do it.”
Ben Sulayem even suggested Mayer might not be the only contender to throw their hat in the ring, referencing the recent withdrawal from the race by Carlos Sainz Sr.
“In the end, will another person pop up? Carlos Sainz [Sr] was there for a while and he dropped out. Maybe there’s someone else,” he pondered.
“But truly they are welcome. I am actually busy with what I started. I would say it is also very, very clear. I would rather do one term and do it right, than stay as a puppet for three terms.
“That’s not me. I have never been like that. I will never do that.”
READ MORE – Tim Mayer: FIA presidential bid ‘not about revenge’ against Mohammed Ben Sulayem
