‘Unopposed’ Ben Sulayem FIA President Again; ‘Illusion of Democracy’ Ensues In F1 Governing Body

Tim Mayer has ended his bid to challenge Mohammed Ben Sulayem for the presidency of the FIA (X)

American motorsport official Tim Mayer has ended his bid to challenge Mohammed Ben Sulayem for the presidency of the FIA, saying the governing body’s election process has effectively shut out all opposition — ensuring the Emirati’s unopposed return to power.

“The election for the president of the FIA is over, but our campaign is not,” Mayer told reporters ahead of this weekend’s U.S. Grand Prix in Austin. “

This time there will be no election. There will be no debate between ideas, no comparison of vision, no examination of leadership. There will only be one candidate, the incumbent — and that’s not democracy. That’s the illusion of democracy.”

A “Structured” System That Leaves No Room for Rivals

The FIA presidential election, originally set for December 12 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, requires each candidate to submit a full list of vice presidents representing every global region. Those vice presidents must come from a limited pool of 29 names eligible for the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council (WMSC).

Here’s the catch: in South America, only one eligible member — Brazil’s Fabiana Ecclestone — is available, and she’s part of Ben Sulayem’s team. In Africa, just two names are listed, both also aligned with the incumbent.

“In South America only one person stood for the World Motorsport Council. In Africa only two. All three are directly associated with the incumbent. The result is simple — no one but the incumbent can run under the FIA system,” said Mayer, son of former McLaren boss Teddy Mayer.

Mayer accused the FIA of stifling competition, questioning whether clubs were “persuaded, pressured, or promised something not to stand.”

The FIA, however, insisted its process was “structured and democratic,” claiming all candidates had since June 13 to prepare their applications.

MBS: From Promises of Reform to Reign of Dysfunction

When Ben Sulayem took charge in 2021, he promised a new era of transparency and inclusivity. Instead, his presidency has been marred by staff exodus, governance crises, and public embarrassments.

Senior officials have resigned in droves, citing a toxic culture and erratic decision-making. Internal turmoil has become so frequent that “chaos at the FIA” might as well be a standing headline.

MBS’s tenure has been a carousel of controversies. From his public crusade against swearing drivers to alleged micromanagement of Formula 1 operations, his leadership style has been described by insiders as “autocratic” and “image-obsessed.”

Well, it seems like the FIA’s democratic facade barely conceals what looks like a stitched-up system where rivals can’t even enter the starting grid.

(with agency inputs)