Ben Sulayem dismisses Mayer's 'reign of terror' comments

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem says he feels for presidential candidate Tim Mayer, and that he’s disconnected from the governing body for describing his first term as a “reign of terror”.

Mayer launched his campaign last week ahead of the British Grand Prix, and is attempting stand against Ben Sulayem in December’s elections. Reflecting on the current situation at the FIA, the American said the current staff “deserve leadership that provides them with tools, provides them with a vision, provides them with resources, and more than anything else, does not have a reign of terror every time they walk into the office”.

Responding to those comments, Ben Sulayem says Mayer only has awareness of certain aspects of the atmosphere within the governing body.

“I just laughed,” Ben Sulayem told Reuters. “I actually had a smile. I said whoever is saying this, they are disconnected with the FIA. Honestly. You go to the FIA and just enter and see. Sit with them, tell them it's just between you and them, and ask them the question. I think maybe he's confusing the period.”

Ben Sulayem was also quoted as telling the Press Association that he believes he has the support of many member clubs, and that it is their vote that matters.

“I feel for people [who] say this. They are disconnected from the FIA. He [Mayer] has worked as a steward. A steward doesn’t mean you’re an insider of the FIA. You’re not staff.

“I have other things to do. I am really busy. I am not going to fall into this way of campaigning where I answer someone. He is free to say whatever he wants.

“But the FIA is bigger than me, bigger than anyone. It’s not about the media. One thing is very clear. It is the members who vote. It’s not anyone who is here to have a vote. It’s them. If they decide they want me, or they want X, Y, Z, it’s up to them. And I know that whatever I’ve been doing is good for the members. I’ve been very straight with them.

“Let’s wait for the general assembly and let’s see if they will get me out, then. They have the power to get me out. It’s about the members. And when I see them smiling. Maybe, I don’t know, maybe they’re smiling, truly or not, but it’s their decision.”