The FIA rebuked former presidential candidate Tim Mayer’s criticism of the electoral course of, saying the necessities for the presidential record have utilized for earlier elections.
Mayer introduced he’s pulling out of the working to go up in opposition to Mohammed Ben Sulayem in December, citing the requirement to have a vice chairman for sport from each area as blocking challengers on this event. Mayer’s criticism was of an absence of candidates on the record from South America (one) and Africa (two), with the one choices all already aligned to Ben Sulayem.
Calling the method “the phantasm of democracy,” Mayer questioned why there had been a 27 p.c discount in candidate numbers for the presidential record in comparison with the final election, however the FIA says the principles have been recognized for a lot of months and that candidates may have ready earlier to have supporters put ahead for the World Motor Sport Council.
“The FIA Presidential election is a structured and democratic course of, to make sure equity and integrity at each stage,” an FIA spokesperson mentioned.
“Necessities for the 2025 FIA elections, together with the related deadlines and eligibility standards for the presidential record and World Councils, are outlined within the FIA Statutes and Inner Rules, that are publicly out there on the FIA’s web site. Detailed info concerning these elections has additionally been made out there on a devoted web page on the FIA’s web site since 13 June 2025 and communicated to all FIA Members.
“The necessities associated to the regional illustration of the vice presidents for sport, and to pick out them from the World Motor Sport Council so as to draw up a presidential record, usually are not new. These standards utilized to earlier elections.
“As to be anticipated, making ready a candidature for a presidential record or the World Councils requires sure steps to be taken. Potential candidates have had for the reason that publication of the detailed info on 13 June to organize their purposes.”
On account of Mayer’s withdrawal and the out there presidential record candidates, present FIA president Ben Sulayem is about to run unopposed.
