Tim Mayer launches bid to become FIA president, will run against Mohammed Ben Sulayem
Mayer, 59, is the first candidate to officially stand against the incumbent president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who is seeking re-election at the end of his first four-year term.
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Mayer, the son of McLaren founder Teddy Mayer, has enjoyed a long career as a racing executive, including stints as the SVP of Champ Car and the Chief Operating Officer of IMSA, as well as serving as a steward across many of the FIA's championships.
This included F1, where Mayer was one of the stewards helping to officiate grands prix for over 15 years before he was dismissed by Ben Sulayem in November last year.
Mayer said in an interview with BBC Sport at the time that he was informed of his sacking via text message, and that Ben Sulayem had 'hurt feelings' over his handling of a fine given to the promoter of the United States Grand Prix in October last year following a track invasion.
The announcement of Mayer's presidential run came on Friday morning at Silverstone ahead of this weekend's British Grand Prix, under the banner of 'FIA Forward.'
But in order to become FIA president, Mayer will have a number of hurdles to overcome, including putting together an executive team spread across different global regions before going forward for the ballot.
The vote will see the various national motoring associations from around the world choose which candidate to support, with the election taking place in December when the FIA holds its end-of-year General Assembly and prize giving in Uzbekistan.
Ben Sulayem's tenure to date as FIA president has been filled with controversy, including a number of high-profile departures from the organization. In April, his deputy president, Robert Reid, resigned over what he referred to as a 'crisis' at the FIA after 'a steady erosion of the principles we promised to uphold.'
A number of controversial changes to the FIA statutes have also been pushed through under Ben Sulayem, such as a tightening in the requirements in order to be able to stand for the presidency plus changes to its internal ethics and complaints process.
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Rally legend Carlos Sainz Sr., who is the father of Williams F1 driver Carlos Sainz, did consider running for the presidency, only to opt against doing so in order to keep his focus on his Dakar Rally commitments.
George Russell, who races for Mercedes and is a director of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA), said on Thursday prior to Mayer announcing his plans that competition for the presidency could only be a good thing.
'Competition is always good because it brings out the best in people,' said Russell. 'It's something we've been vocal about in the past. It's probably got a little bit too much airtime in the past.
'Things have seemingly been moving in a better direction, which I think is just good news for everybody involved in the sport.
'But at the end of the day, if there are two people fighting for one position, you bring your A-game.'
(Qian Jun/)
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