Ben Sulayem faces tough competition for FIA presidency role: Meet his challenger!

Tim Mayer is expected to present his candidature for the FIA presidency role this weekend. Mohammed Ben Sulayem is heading into a tense period as the FIA presidential elections draw near. He’s expected to face strong competition, with Mayer reportedly planning to challenge the Emirati for the top job.

According to the BBC, the 59-year-old American plans to run in the elections to be held in December. He will also speak to the media at Silverstone to officially announce his candidacy. A press conference is scheduled for Friday morning so he can do this.

The new presidential candidate brings a wealth of motorsport experience. In the 1990s, he worked alongside F1 champion Emerson Fittipaldi. Later, he served as a steward in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) before moving into Formula 1, where he remained active as a race steward until the latter stages of last season.

Tim Mayer looks set to run for FIA presidency 

Sulayem fired Mayer 

Mayer and Sulayem are far from strangers. In November of last year, the current FIA president dismissed the American from his role as a steward after representing the Circuit of the Americas in a 'right of review' hearing following a crowd invasion at the end of the 2024 race, in what Mayer described as a 'personal attack.'

The American goes up against Ben Sulayem after Carlos Sainz Sr decided not to run as FIA president after much speculation.

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