Fiery campaign for FIA presidency ignites: 'Tyranny and no Ben Sulayem initiative'
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Co-author:Oliver Darcy
Marnik Kok caught the Formula 1 world around twenty years ago. A deep passion for motorsport, Ferrari, and a background in journalism led him to contribute to various (international) F1 platforms. Since 2020, Marnik has been active as an editor and journalist in the pinnacle of motorsport for several media outlets, including De Telegraaf. As of 2025, he brings that experience to GPblog as a seasoned editor.
During his active years as a journalist — now working as a freelancer — Marnik attended numerous events, with the Dutch Grand Prix standing out as one of the highlights. In addition to his work at GPblog, Marnik is also active in the communications sector at a major national provider and steps in wherever needed. Sitting still is not an option — especially not in motorsport!
The campaign for the next FIA President has erupted in full force, with Tim Mayer challenging incumbent President Mohammed Ben Sulayem and getting tough right from the get-go.
Mayer previously heavily criticised Ben Sulayem, as he called the recent statements and goals of incumbent President an "illusion of progress".
That wasn't it from the American, however, then going on to speak to PlanetF1 and use the word 'tyranny' to describe the leadership of the current FIA President. One thing is sure: the campaign is underway, and it's shaping up to be a combative debate, where both men are going in hard.
However, Ben Sulayem himself seems to be unfazed. “Some people say that I evolved a thick skin; that the media doesn’t affect me. Someone said, ‘You have Teflon skin'," was one of the earlier responses in the campaign for another term as the FIA president.
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“Actually, no, I just don’t read [it]. I’m sorry, I don’t believe that I have the time. So it doesn’t affect me, because I don’t know about it. I don’t read. I read the important things, not the personal attack.”
Change in Women in Motorsport
One of the key themes is the opportunity for women in motorsport, as demonstrated by the F1 Academy. The female motorsport president, Burcu Cetinkaya, believes that everyone should be aware of the progress. "Ben Sulayem’s Presidency, with appointments and policies, 'changing the culture of the FIA from the inside out',” she states.
Men and women in motorsport are not yet on the same level, like in football, for example, but Mayer had a different opinion. He believed that Ben Sulayem didn't really have much to do with the change in the women's aspect of motorsport. Cetinkaya asked Mayer to retract his words.
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Flames Toward the FIA President
However, after asking for those words to be retracted, the situation went differently. Recently, Mayer spoke out on the matter and pointed not to Ben Sulayem, but to his predecessor, Jean Todt. The former FIA President, according to Mayer, initiated the change, whereas the change is now visible under the reign of the current president.
All in all, it promises to be a fierce battle: Ben Sulayem for his second term, or Mayer for a first term? In any case, it's already clear that Carlos Sainz Sr. will not stand for presidency, which was still in question. So, it's a one-on-one fight. To win, a democratic process must be held by the higher-ups within the FIA, some 245 individuals from 149 countries. The results will follow on December 12 in Uzbekistan.
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