FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem is to face competition in this year’s election, with a rival candidate set to be revealed on Friday morning.
As reported by The Race earlier this week, the build-up to the British Grand Prix was always going to be a key one for potential bids to come forward and commit to running in December’s election.
A media conference has now been called for Friday morning near the Silverstone circuit for “a new candidate for the role of President of the FIA.”
The identity of the candidate has not been revealed, but sources have suggested that former FIA steward Tim Mayer will be putting himself forward.
Mayer, the son of McLaren co-founder Teddy, was widely regarded to be one of the FIA’s best stewards during a spell that lasted more than 15 years but came to an end last year.
His contributions to the FIA included coordinating US motorsports and being a steward in F1 and World Endurance Championship, plus teaching and working on multiple commissions.
However, Mayer was fired at the end of last year in the wake of a dispute between the FIA and US Grand Prix organisers, where Mayer was working in an independent capacity as a representative for US Race Management, the ‘sporting organiser’ rather than the event promoter.
Mayer had been part of the initial stewards’ hearing when the US GP was criticised and punished for fans invading the track at the end of the race, and then involved in a right of review as the circuit and the organiser took issue with the assertion they “failed to take reasonable measures thus resulting in an unsafe condition”.
The fresh decision determined no breach of the International Sporting Code had taken place, but there were sporting regulations issues instead.
A fine of €500,000 fine was still imposed – €350,000 of which was suspended until December 31, 2026.
Having found out he had been axed in the aftermath of what happened at the USA GP, Mayer spoke out against how things were handled by both the governing body and Ben Sulayem - claimed he was sacked by text message, which the FIA denies.
"For a federation that relies on volunteers to fire by text somebody who has made a significant contribution does not speak well of the management of the federation," he told the BBC at the time.
He said the reason for his dismissal as a steward was Ben Sulayem "took offence" at the contents of the appeal document that had been filed.
He added: “The official reason that will be given is they felt there was a conflict of interest with the FIA as I had led the right of review in my role as organiser.
"But that is not why I was fired. Being an organiser is a role that I have fulfilled, benefiting the FIA, for over 12 years. This isn't new.
"In spite of the matter being resolved quietly and amicably, he's still upset and decided to fire me.
“After 15 years of volunteering my time as a steward, a decade teaching other stewards and hundreds of hours volunteering in other roles, I got a text from one of his assistants."
Mayer’s decision to stand comes after months of him evaluating his chances of success in trying to beat Ben Sulayem – with a decision to enter the race a clear sign that he feels he has an opportunity to triumph in the December 12 vote.
As well as needing to evaluate potential support from clubs, Mayer will also need to pull together what is known as “the list” of senior figures that will join him in key positions.
These 10 individuals that must be appointed include the president of the Senate, deputy presidents for mobility and sport, plus seven vice-sports for the World Motor Sport Council.
Due to the complexities of the FIA election process, Mayer's bid to join the election race effectively shuts the door on any other candidates coming forward - as multiple rivals to the incumbent would split the vote too much.
