FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has dismissed allegations of a “reign of terror” within motorsport’s governing body as “disconnected from reality”, insisting the upcoming presidential election will be fair and transparent.
Speaking at Silverstone during the British Grand Prix weekend, the Emirati, who is seeking a second term in December, laughed off claims made by American candidate Tim Mayer, the only declared challenger in the race so far.
Mayer, a former steward and long-time motorsport official, announced his candidacy on Friday, citing what he called a “failure in leadership” at the FIA. “Those people work very hard,” Mayer said of the organisation’s staff. “They deserve leadership that provides them with tools, vision, resources, and more than anything else, does not have a reign of terror every time they walk into the office.”
Ben Sulayem, elected in 2021, rejected the accusations outright. “I just laughed. I actually had a smile. I said, whoever is saying this, they are disconnected with the FIA. Honestly,” he told Reuters. “Go to the FIA, sit with the people and ask them privately. You’ll get your answer.”
The remarks come at a time of scrutiny over the FIA’s internal operations. The Paris-based organisation, headquartered at Place de la Concorde, a location historically associated with the French Revolutionary ‘Reign of Terror’, has seen a notable turnover of senior personnel under Ben Sulayem’s leadership, including former Deputy President for Sport Robert Reid, who resigned in April. At the time, Reid accused the administration of bypassing democratic structures and making decisions behind closed doors.
Ben Sulayem has previously faced criticism for changes to FIA statutes that some claim make it harder for opposition candidates to challenge the presidency. Yet, he remained defiant when questioned on his leadership style.
“Have you ever read any article where I spoke negatively about a single person? That’s not who I am,” he said. When reminded of his earlier comments to Reuters in May, where he claimed to have “cleaned up the FIA house” and rid it of people “who wanted to stab me in the back,” the 62-year-old quipped: “It’s not because they don’t want to stab me, it’s because there’s no space left.”
Still, Ben Sulayem defended his tenure, stating that FIA members are “happier” and that financial resources are being reinvested back into the organisation. “In everything, there is governance,” he added.
Looking ahead to the election, the former rally driver said he relished the competition. “It’s like putting your helmet and gloves back on,” he said. “Competition is always good. We have such clear guidelines that you cannot fiddle around with anything. And that will never happen, not in my reign.”
Mayer, 59, son of former McLaren team boss Teddy Mayer, brings extensive experience to the race. He has previously served as COO of IMSA and the American Le Mans Series, and held executive roles in IndyCar and Champ Car, as well as acting as a national representative for the United States within the FIA.
The election is set to be one of the most closely-watched in the FIA’s recent history, as debates over transparency, leadership style, and internal reform continue to shape the road ahead.
