Mohammed Ben Sulayem is set to secure another term as president of the International Automobile Federation (FIA) after his sole remaining challenger withdrew from the race due to electoral technicalities.
Tim Mayer, a former senior FIA steward, was expected to formally end his campaign on Friday after failing to meet eligibility requirements. The FIA’s election rules mandate that presidential candidates must name six prospective vice-presidents, with one representative from each of the organization’s global regions.
The requirement has proven particularly challenging due to the unique composition of the FIA’s South American representation. Fabiana Ecclestone, wife of former Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone, currently serves as the only world council member from the region and has already declared her support for Ben Sulayem.
With no alternative South American representatives available, potential challengers have been unable to complete their required slate of vice-presidential nominations, effectively preventing any opposition candidate from qualifying for the December election.
Despite withdrawing his candidacy, Mayer is expected to continue advocating for governance reforms within the motor sport’s governing body. His campaign had sought to present an alternative leadership vision for the FIA.
The development comes amid ongoing scrutiny of the FIA’s internal governance. Recent months have seen criticism regarding the concentration of authority within the presidency and senate, with some observers expressing concerns about the effectiveness of the organization’s ethics oversight mechanisms.
Several prominent figures within motor sport have voiced apprehensions about governance standards, including questions about decision-making processes and accountability structures within the federation.
The FIA has maintained that its electoral process follows established democratic principles, noting that prospective candidates had sufficient time to prepare their applications since the publication of election details in June.
