FIA's Mohammed Ben Sulayem responds to ‘reign of terror’ jab from new rival

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayam says he laughed in response to accusations of his tenure being a “reign of terror”.

When former F1 steward Tim Mayer introduced his candidacy for the presidency of motorsport’s governing physique forward of the British Grand Prix, he described Ben Sulayem’s management as a “reign of terror”.

The 59-year-old American will rival incumbent Ben Sulayem, who fired Mayer final 12 months, in December’s election to find out who will take workplace on the very high of the FIA.

Mayer criticised Ben Sulayem for failing to fulfil the guarantees he made when he turned FIA president in December 2021.

“In the event you take a look at the quantity of people that have resigned from the FIA who’ve gone in with the most effective intentions however can not impact change, or say ‘No it is a unhealthy concept, Mr President’. 

“It’s a reign of terror. You might be questioning when the following scandal is,” Mayer stated.

The 63-year-old Emirati’s reign has been overshadowed by a collection of controversies however Ben Sulayem has dismissed the accusations from Mayer.

“I simply laughed. I truly had a smile. I stated whoever is saying this, they’re disconnected with the FIA. Truthfully,” Ben Sulayem advised Reuters.

“You go to the FIA and simply enter and see. Sit with them, inform them it is simply between you and them, and ask them the query. I believe perhaps he is complicated the interval.

“Have you ever ever learn any article the place I stated negatively a few single individual? That is not me.”

Ben Sulayem, who was anticipated to run unopposed within the 2025 election following Carlos Sainz Sr’s resolution to drag out of the race, stated he’s not involved that Mayer will stand in opposition to him.

“It is like placing your helmet and gloves again on. Actually it jogs my memory of competitions, and competitors is all the time good,” he stated.

“Now we have such clear tips that now you can’t fiddle round with something and that can by no means occur, not in my reign.”