American Tim Mayer announced on Friday his withdrawal from the race for the presidency of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), leaving the field open for current president Mohammed Ben Sulayem to continue in his role virtually unopposed.
Mayer’s decision came after the official list of candidates, released earlier this month, revealed that Ben Sulayem’s rivals had failed to secure the required support to qualify under FIA regulations.
Speaking to reporters at an airport hotel in Austin ahead of the United States Grand Prix, the former Formula 1 steward said:
“The FIA presidential election is over, but our campaign is not.”
The election was scheduled to take place on December 12 during the FIA’s General Assembly in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, where the rules stipulate that each presidential candidate must submit a complete list of vice-presidential nominees representing different regions around the world.
Vice-presidential candidates must be selected from among 29 individuals eligible for membership in the FIA World Motor Sport Council. Notably, Brazilian Fabiana Ecclestone is the only representative from South America — and she is part of Ben Sulayem’s team.
Mayer noted that the outcome seemed clear from the outset, explaining:
“In South America, only one person ran for the council; in Africa, just two — and all are directly connected to the current president. The result was obvious.”
According to FIA regulations, presidential candidates must submit their full lists by October 24, and no name may appear on more than one presidential slate, making the emergence of a new contender in the remaining time highly unlikely.
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