Tim Mayer has announced that he cannot make progress in the FIA presidential elections because the structure of the process has blocked challengers to incumbent Mohammed Ben Sulayem this year.
Ben Sulayem will run unopposed in the December elections, based on the requirement that candidates submit a presidential list including one vice president for sports from each region. Those VPs must come from those nominated for positions on the World Motor Sport Council, but with only one nominated candidate from South America and two from Africa – all already aligned with Ben Sulayem – there is no chance of a challenger submitting a full presidential list.
Mayer says that the list of candidates is already 27% smaller than in the last election, and that he no longer has any option to oppose the incumbent president.
“Quite simply, there is no choice,” Mayer said. “There will be no vote of ideas, no battle of views, no test of leadership. There will be only one candidate and that is not democracy – that is the illusion of democracy.
“So the real campaign continues. For every club that still believes that fairness matters; for every sports and mobility club that seeks equal access to information, funding and opportunities; for every participant that believes the FIA should support them and not compete with them. We will continue to speak out for those who cannot and we will not rest until every member club feels free to speak for itself.
“During our extensive travels around the world, many member clubs said to me, ‘We want to talk, but we can’t.’ They fear losing projects, funding or recognition if they question the current system and that is why FIA Forward must persevere – not because of power, but because of their principles.
“So although the election rules mean that no elections will take place, our cause continues. Our campaign is not over, it is simply entering a new phase. We will continue to move the FIA forward until democracy, service and partnership are not just words in a statute, but the living values that define our federation every day and we can bring about the changes that the FIA so desperately needs.”
Mayer also says that the current system does not provide a democratic route for the election of the FIA president.
“During the last election cycle, more than 40 candidates filed for the World Motor Sport Council. This time only 29. So what has changed? Have member clubs suddenly lost interest in shaping the sport? Or have they been cajoled – pressured – or promised something that wouldn’t last? I can’t say for sure.”
“But when only three of the 12 eligible clubs in South America and Africa put themselves forward – regardless of whether they supported me or not – it is clear that this is no longer a democratic process. When choice is replaced by control, democracy is diminished.
“Take South America, a continent passionate about motorsport. Only one candidate emerged.
“Fabiana Ecclestone has deep ties to Brazilian motorsport and I respect her credentials. But as I traveled through the region, the same message resonated: ‘Motorsport in Brazil is not typical of motorsport across South America.’ Yet no other club has chosen to nominate anyone, which would not have been a challenge for Ms Ecclestone but an opportunity to broaden the representation of their region and strengthen the sport across the continent.
“Now consider Africa – a region with 22 clubs spread across 47 countries, with enormous promise and diversity. Only two candidates emerged – both declaring they were supporters of the president.
“Amina Mohammed from Kenya is a respected and experienced diplomat, but not a lifelong motorsports organizer. And Rodrigo Rocha was allowed to participate because of an ‘Esports’ event that was quietly added to the international sports calendar last month by an e-vote. An event that, although scheduled for last weekend, never took place to our knowledge. It is not even on his own club’s calendar. or social media pages, which is essentially a situation that mirrors what happened the last time he was on the ballot, an event that was on the calendar but never happened.
“So I ask: Is this how legitimacy should be built? Is this how African motorsport is best represented? Is this how we can grow the sport in this crucial region with so much untapped potential?”
“If elections are decided before the ballots are cast, that’s not democracy – that’s theatre. And if membership clubs have no real choice, they become spectators, not participants.”
Mayer vows to continue campaigning for reforms within the FIA despite the lack of a chance to get his name on the ballot paper for the elections, with an October 24 deadline for submitting a presidential list set to be the point at which it is confirmed that Ben Sulayem will remain unchallenged.
“Over the past few months, as I have traveled around the world, I have been supported, involved and advised by many clubs, organizations and individuals. To everyone who has supported and continues to support this journey – thank you. And I still have faith – in the clubs, in the volunteers, in people in motorsport and mobility who know that integrity still matters.
“So even though the rules of this election mean there will be no election, our cause continues. Because true leadership isn’t just about who holds office; it’s about who believes.
“As challenging as the past few months have been for our campaign, and as difficult as the situation is now, I am proud that we have acted with integrity throughout.
“So yes, the ballot box may be closed and the voices of its members silenced – for now. But we will continue to drive the FIA forward – until democracy, service and partnership are not just an illusion, but the living values that define our federation every day.”
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