The FIA has been criticized for creating a "false impression of democracy" in a strongly worded statement from the sole remaining challenger to Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who confirmed his bid to replace the current president had failed. Tim Mayer, a former senior FIA steward, also accused the governing body of Formula One of operating without transparency and endangering the sport’s future.
The 59-year-old American, dismissed from his FIA position last year, had intended to oppose Ben Sulayem but acknowledged on Friday in Austin that the current president would face no opposition due to the FIA’s electoral rules.
"There’s only one candidate, the incumbent," Mayer said. "That isn’t democracy—it's the illusion of democracy."
Mayer, along with two other potential candidates, was unable to proceed because presidential nominees must propose six vice-presidents, each representing one of the FIA’s global regions within the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC).
Fabiana Ecclestone, wife of former F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone and the sole WMSC representative for South America, has already backed Ben Sulayem. Without another eligible candidate for vice-president in the region, no challenger could meet FIA requirements.
Mayer pointed out that in South America, only one individual was available for WMSC representation, while in Africa, just two candidates existed—both, he claimed, "directly linked to the incumbent."
"When elections are settled before voting begins, it’s not democracy—it’s performance," he said. "And when member organizations have no meaningful choice, they become observers, not active participants."
Mayer also questioned why the WMSC list had so few representatives and why eligible members decreased from 40 in 2021 to 29 this year. "Did member groups suddenly stop caring about influencing the sport? Were they influenced, pressured, or offered incentives not to run? I can’t say for certain," he added.
During his campaign, Mayer claimed many FIA-affiliated organizations worldwide were reluctant to challenge the current leadership. "Many told me, ‘We want to speak up, but we can’t.’ They fear losing support, funding, or status just for raising concerns."
Despite the obstacles, Mayer vowed to continue his efforts to expose what he sees as flaws in the FIA’s leadership. He acknowledged being aware of the regulations when entering the race and admitted they might be insurmountable but chose to proceed regardless.
Mayer referenced a study conducted by the Utrecht School of Governance, using the Sports Governance Observer framework, which criticized the FIA’s power structure. The report, titled "Power Without Brakes," concluded:
"The FIA’s governance system centers authority in the president’s office, with accountability limited within a structure the president heavily influences."
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