FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has dismissed claims from potential election rival Tim Mayer that he has been running a "reign of terror" within motor racing's governing body.
Mayer, a former Formula 1 steward who was dismissed by Ben Sulayem towards the end of last year, announced over the British Grand Prix weekend that he planned to stand in this year's FIA presidential election.
As part of a campaign launch speech that outlined the reasons for seeking the role, Mayer described Ben Sulayem's tenure since 2021 as a "reign of terror" where dissent is punished.
He also suggested that in terms of progress: "The one area of the FIA that has gone forward is the ability to write press releases celebrating small victories."
Speaking exclusively to The Race, Ben Sulayem brushed off Mayer's accusations, as he insisted it was not his style to criticise other people in public.
Asked if he was annoyed by Mayer's comments, Ben Sulayem said: "Not really. It's just that some people are disconnected to the FIA.
"At the time of elections, we say a tongue has no bones. They can say whatever they feel if that's the way to get them electoral votes.
"But let me ask you a question: have you ever read any article where I mentioned someone in a bad way? No. Thank you. That's not my style.
"My style is connecting with the members, listening to them, and having the trust with them. That’s the only thing."
Ben Sulayem challenged anyone to visit the FIA's headquarters to see that things were running in a very different way to how it has been suggested.
"Have you been in the office of the FIA? I would like you to go to Geneva and go to Paris to see [what it is like] - and you are the one who decides if it is a reign of terror.
"No. People can speak and I am not a one-man show, because everything goes through governance [processes], and we have our ethics [committees]. So really, it doesn't bother me at all. I wish him well, whoever comes."
An illusion
One of Mayer's other leading criticisms was that the FIA's claims of improvement had been an "illusion" on several fronts - in terms of reform, leadership, and inclusion.
Mayer also suggested that Ben Sulayem taking credit for returning the FIA to profit, with it moving from a $24million loss in 2021 to a $5.3million profit last year, was an illusion because it was simply now back to pre-pandemic normality.
Making reference to these claims, Ben Sulayem said: "The numbers never lie. With accounts, you press a button, and you go and look at the financials.
"We have governance procedures, we have world councils and we have a bigger body, which is the general assembly. So we have smart people asking questions - with internal audits and external audits.
"And all of that is an illusion? No. We are a federation that is monitored, and we also watch what we do because we have a lot of people to answer to, which are our members."
Too democratic?
Ben Sulayem welcomed the fact that another candidate had stepped forward to seek the presidential office, and said it will be down to the FIA member clubs to decide who they want.
"It is a democratic system," he said. "Perhaps, it's too democratic, because if you look at the guidelines of the IOC [International Olympic Committee], which we follow, they say that anyone - even you - can stand.
"But can you do that in FIFA [football's governing body]? No. Can you do it in the IOC? Never!
"I welcome anyone coming forward. Maybe I will have to get my helmet back and go back to rallying. So, I mean, he's most welcome to do it."
The main hurdle that Mayer needs to overcome before he formally enters the race is to secure his presidential list of candidates to fill key positions, which includes his deputy presidents of mobility and sport.
Ben Sulayem said he could not rule out another candidate coming forward before the October deadline but he said his focus remains on seeing through the job.
"In the end, will another person pop up? Carlos Sainz [Sr] was there for a while and he dropped out. Maybe there's someone else.
"But truly they are welcome. I am actually busy with what I started. I would say it is also very, very clear. I would rather do one term and do it right, than stay as a puppet for three terms.
"That's not me. I have never been like that. I will never do that."
