Former FIA steward Tim Mayer has announced that he will face current FIA President Mohamed Bens Laim in elections this year’s position.
Mayer will become the first candidate to pledge to run for top positions in the governing body for international motorsports and mobility, ensuring incumbent Ben Slayem faces opposition when the FIA election takes place in December. His confirmation comes after former world rally champion Carlos Schist expressed his interest in doing so before choosing such a run.
The racers understand that Mayer is preparing the campaign more than six months before today’s announcement.
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“It’s basically two things,” Mayer told the racer about the motivation behind his decision to run. “One thing is, I don’t think there is any doubt that the FIA could be better.
“I have many friends not only on the sports but also on the mobility side of the FIA. They have expressed some despair in our presence.
“And second, I spent 34 years in sports, and I have the ability to be in all aspects of sports and have experiences that are truly remarkable.
The 59-year-old American, son of former McLaren team principal Teddy Mayer, began his 30-year-old motorsport experience in US open wheel racing, starting with television producers and officially playing multiple roles, becoming Senior Vice President of the racing business in Champion Cars.
Mayer also won the spell as IMSA Chief Operating Officer before joining the FIA as a race director and steward, and in 2016 took on the role of one of the chairs of Formula 1 Stewards.
Also, Mayer, who organised the FIA Championship in the US, was fired by one of Ben Slayem’s assistants over text message late last year after having to represent the US Grand Prix race organizer with review rights.
Having already confirmed to be serving his second term, Ben Slyem has seen his first four years of spells as FIA president, who has plagued multiple senior departures with a lack of transparency from both Formula 1 drivers and selected national motorsports organizations.
The incumbent who said he would welcome rival candidates in May has been criticised for changes made to the FIA Act, but has recently helped the Governing Body make money.