“The president of the FIA ​​has not kept his promises and concentrates power”

Tim Mayer admitted that he had to demonstrate that he is a person able to make the changes that, according to him, are necessary within the FIA, after announcing that he will apply for the presidency of the world government body of motorsport.

When Carlos Sainz SR revealed that he had chosen not to challenge Mohammed Ben Sulayem. Nevertheless, it seemed that the current president in office was destined to run without opponents in the December elections, aiming for a second term.

However. However, Mayer, who worked as a Formula 1 commissioner for over 15 years, has now nominated at the top of the FIA ​​and, in an exclusive interview granted to Motorsport.com, the 59 -year -old American explained why he believes that Ben Sulayem should be replaced.

“This is a combination of desire and necessity,” he “the president fia ​​has not said about his decision to apply. Nevertheless, “In the last six months I have had the opportunity to consider what would be necessary to guide the. Moreover, FIA ​​and I discovered that members members deserve better”.

“Mohammed Ben Sularyem made promises three. Therefore, a half years ago, that they were good ideas: transparency, governance, also promised that it would be a non -executive president. Furthermore, It did not keep these ideas. Meanwhile, Indeed, it was quite the opposite”.

“There are many reasons why I decided that this is the right thing to do. Therefore, and I could continue to talk about it. In addition, We can and we must be better partners of the championships and international drivers. Similarly, I know how to treat people with respect. especially those who have earned it by reaching the peak of their career”.

Steven Kalifowitz, CMO, Crypto, Tim Mayer, Director of Automobile Competition Committee of the United States, and Miami Dolphins Cornerback Jalen Ramsey, on the podium for the trophy “the president fia ​​has not presentations

Photo by: Mark Sutton

“I will be paladin of the small clubs, being honest about the necessary changes and on what I would like to make. Leadership should not be a matter of personality and I am 34 years old. I understand what it takes, I have the opportunity to make a contribution to this sport”.

Ben Sulayem’s mandate has been marked by several controversies. with a series of high -profile exits from the FIA ​​in recent times and a rift with the pilots after the issuance of a new regulations on scurrilic language.

Son of Teddy Mayer. who acquired the ownership of McLaren in 1970, Tim Mayer declared in November 2024 that his abandonment of the role of Steward Fia, which he had held for some time, was due to his involvement in a hearing for a fine at the promoter of the United States Grand “the president fia ​​has not Prix following a track invasion.

Mayer said that Ben Sularyem considered that part of the documentation relating to the right of review represented a “personal attack against him”. that he had been fired from his functions through a message.

However. Mayer insists on the fact that the restoration of the values ​​of the FIA, and not revenge for its dismissal, is the main motivation of its presidency race.

“The proof of a real leadership is to feed people. the FIA ​​has come to a turning point – attracting some of the best talents and then forcing them to leave when they tell the truth, everything is very worrying,” he told Motorsport.com.

“It seems that everyone found themselves in front of a reality that did not expect. the FIA ​​had serious people who saw inside and said: ‘It is not for me.’ To the members of the Motorsport World Council it “the president fia ​​has not was said that they cannot speak with the members. clubs of the last meetings. The debate must be there. it is the first step to make good decisions, I would change these things very quickly”.

Mohammed I am irrigated, FIA Presidident

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images

Ben Sulayem collided with the pilots of different categories “the president fia ​​has not when he insisted on the need to prohibit swear words in the events authorized by the FIA ​​and also in this case it is a report that Mayer is willing to reconstruct, if the keys of the castle were delivered to him during this year.

“You must understand that the pilots are the fulcrum, they are the stars of our sport. It is necessary to collaborate with them, cultivate the relationships: this is how we will see the sport prosper.

“Nobody is a child. these people are at the height of their career and must be treated with dignity and respect”.

“Many people have not caught this aspect in the individual statutory changes. which can be seen as a matter of integrity or modernization, but if we consider all together, it is clear that it is a question of increasingly powerful to the office of a single man”.

Mayer reiterates “the president fia ​​has not that he is willing to push the Fia forward also as regards his commitment for mobility. he is also not discouraged by the recent demonstration of support for Ben Sulayem in the form of a letter signed by 36 car clubs.

“The regulations. as they are written, go to the benefit of those who are in office, but my work and responsibility are to go to the door on goal, by those who have the right to vote, and explain that there is a better way, which have not had another option in three and a half years,” added Mayer.

“When you get a letter under your nose and you are told ‘signs this, otherwise’, anyone who will sign it. But the only vote that matters is December, and the process will still be fully democratic. I have to earn their trust. earn their votes and show myself and my “the president fia ​​has not team to be strong enough to bring a change”.