Tim Mayer has set the stage for one of the most contentious FIA presidential elections in years, taking aim at incumbent Mohammed Ben Sulayem in a fiery campaign launch at Silverstone.
Mayer, a long-time figure in global motorsport and son of McLaren co-founder Teddy Mayer, formally announced his candidacy on the eve of the 2025 British Grand Prix, unveiling his ‘FIA Forward’ movement and sharply criticizing what he calls a culture of fear and failed promises under Ben Sulayem’s leadership.
The election, set for December in Uzbekistan, comes at a pivotal moment for motorsport’s governing body. Ben Sulayem, who took the helm in 2021 pledging transparency, empowerment, and reform, has instead presided over what Mayer characterizes as the “illusion of progress and illusion of leadership,” citing a wave of departures and the “greatest centralisation of power in the FIA’s history.”
Mayer’s speech at Whittlebury Hall, just a stone’s throw from the Silverstone circuit, was packed with respected journalists and featured more than a hint of American-style political theatre as he worked the room and laid out his vision for a new era.
“The message was right, but the delivery has failed,” Mayer said of Ben Sulayem’s first term. “We have been left with illusion of progress and illusion of leadership while the most senior team he has appointed has departed. The illusion of inclusion, while capable voices, women and people from diverse backgrounds, were pushed out when they spoke out.”
A campaign of reform and integrity amid growing controversy
Mayer, who was dismissed by Ben Sulayem as chairman of the FIA stewards last year, insists his campaign is not motivated by revenge but rather a renewed passion for the values at the heart of the federation.
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“His asking me to step down as a Formula 1 steward presented me with an opportunity to reflect on the values of the FIA. What do we want the organisation to be?” Mayer said. “This time has brought into focus my view that we really need to have a professional organisation, one that values our volunteers and Member Clubs, is looking for growth—particularly for the under-served countries.”
Mayer did not hold back in his criticism of the incumbent president, calling out the “illusion of transparency and engagement,” and most damningly, what he described as an “illusion of integrity.” He accused Ben Sulayem of pushing through critical decisions with rushed electronic votes and stifling debate among the FIA’s world councils and senate members.
“Critical issues have been decided through rushed electronic votes with no debate, where world councils are gagged, and senate members have been pushed out,” Mayer said. “That is not governance.”
While Mayer acknowledged some of Ben Sulayem’s early achievements, he cited a litany of controversies that have marked the Emirati’s tenure, including disputes over drivers’ jewellery, arguments about driver conduct, and high-profile personnel changes.
In an unflinching soundbite, Mayer said staff should not feel under a “reign of terror” simply for coming to work. He likened a recent letter of support for Ben Sulayem from member clubs to a compliment from his own children—offered, he quipped, only after he had frozen their pocket money.
FIA faces a pivotal choice as presidential race heats up
Mayer, who led the stewards at Grand Prix for 15 years, stressed that his campaign is focused on change rather than settling old scores. He emphasised the need for “new energy, new focus and renewed integrity at the heart of our federation,” and promised to champion greater inclusion, professional management, and true transparency.
“Four years ago, Mohammed came up with some very good ideas,” Mayer added. “His manifesto was bought into by all the clubs and he talked about empowerment, transparency and reform which are all values I completely believe in. However, we’ve never had less transparency than we have now and reform has meant a concentration of power in one office which goes against the meaning of the word.”
The FIA election will be held on December 12, where member clubs from around the globe will decide the future direction of the federation. As the campaign begins in earnest, the coming months promise a heated contest between two radically different visions for the future of motorsport’s governing body.
