Mohammed Ben Sulayem is poised to secure another term as president of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) after his final challenger, Tim Mayer, was effectively ruled out of contention due to a restrictive election rule. The decision means Ben Sulayem will stand unopposed in December’s election, extending his leadership over world motorsport’s governing body.
Mayer, who served as a senior FIA steward for over 15 years before his dismissal in late 2024, was among three individuals who declared their intentions to challenge Ben Sulayem. The others included former racing driver Laura Villars and Belgian journalist Virginie Philippot. However, all three were unable to satisfy a technical requirement in the FIA’s complex electoral process.
The rule in question mandates that each presidential candidate must nominate six vice-presidents drawn from the FIA’s six global regions. The obstacle emerged because there is currently only one representative from South America on the World Motor Sport Council—Fabiana Ecclestone, the wife of former Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone. Having already pledged her support to Ben Sulayem, her position effectively prevented other candidates from naming a South American representative, making them ineligible to stand.
Mayer is expected to announce his withdrawal publicly at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, explaining his reasons and criticizing what he views as an undemocratic electoral process. Despite stepping back from the race, he is believed to continue advocating for reform within the FIA and emphasizing that alternative leadership could bring greater accountability.
Ben Sulayem’s presidency has faced growing scrutiny in recent months. Critics within the FIA have raised concerns about the centralization of authority, suggesting that the president’s influence over the senate and ethics committee has weakened the organization’s internal checks and balances. Former FIA deputy president for sport Robert Reid resigned earlier this year, citing governance failures and the erosion of due process in major decision-making. Similarly, David Richards, chair of Motorsport UK, has voiced concerns about declining transparency and accountability within the organization.
As Ben Sulayem moves toward re-election without opposition, debate continues over whether his leadership represents stability for the FIA or a concentration of power that risks undermining its democratic integrity.
