Race series leader Mayer advocates for shift in organizational ethos

Tim Mayer, a seasoned motorsport administrator with 35 years of experience, has announced his candidacy for the presidency of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). Mayer, the son of the late Teddy Mayer, who once headed the McLaren racing team, aims to prioritize grassroots motorsport and greater diversity in his campaign.

Mayer's ambition is to oust incumbent president Mohammed ben Sulayem in December's election. However, he has criticized the voting system, claiming it is stacked in favour of the incumbent. Despite this, Mayer's campaign is not driven by personal animosity towards Ben Sulayem.

If elected, Mayer plans to work more behind the scenes than his counterpart. He views drivers as stars, not the head of the FIA, as the main attraction. Mayer believes drivers should be treated as partners, not children. He wants to usher in a new era of partnership between officials, drivers, and teams.

Under Ben Sulayem's presidency, the FIA has been involved in several public spats. One such controversy, known as the "underwear saga," drew criticism for Ben Sulayem's focus on minor issues. Another debate involved whether drivers could swear over team radio. Mayer accused Ben Sulayem of running the FIA as a "reign of terror."

Mayer has expressed anger for about two weeks after his dismissal, which led him to become a motorsport administrator. He views Formula One drivers' performances as miraculous and wants to ensure they are given the respect they deserve. Mayer is open to the idea of hosting a Grand Prix on the African continent, following the footsteps of sports such as rugby and soccer, which have promoted high-profile women's competitions.

Mayer pledged to promote women in motorsport beyond symbolic gestures, focusing on engineering roles. He draws inspiration from sports like rugby and soccer, which have successfully integrated women into their highest levels of competition. Mayer and Ben Sulayem had a public falling-out when the FIA fired Mayer as a steward via a text message.

Mayer stated that the FIA's role is to serve, not control. He wants to prioritize grassroots motorsport and greater diversity in his campaign. If elected, he plans to work more behind the scenes than his counterpart, aiming to bring about a change in the way the FIA operates. Mayer is confident of ousting Ben Sulayem in December's election, but he criticized the voting system as being stacked in favour of the incumbent.