Ben Sulayem charges fiercely at 'boneless tongued' FIA presidency rival

17:54, 17 Jul

Updated: 20:20, 17 Jul

byNorberto Mujica

The FIA is set to hold presidential elections at the end of the year, and both candidates have begun campaigning in what has become a fierce fight for who will hold office come next year.

Elections are set to take place on 12 December 2025. Current FIA Presidet Mohammed Ben Sulayem is hoping to secure another term as the head of the governing body.

However, ousted Steward Tim Mayer will try to give the Emirati a run for his money in a bid to end Ben Sulayem's time as FIA President, which the American described as a 'terror reign' in his recent candidacy announcement.

'Some boneless tongued people are disconnected from the FIA'

Ben Sulayem responded to Mayer in conversation with The Race, stating he was unfazed by the American's remarks:

"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," he added.

David Richards and Ben Sulayem together at Silverstone

David Richards (left) issued a strong worded letter criticising Mohammed Ben Sulayem (right) and his administration. Both stand together at Silverstone

Ben Sulayem doubles down on transparency and opens doors to F1 media

What is the current President's style, though? He clarifies: "My style is connecting with the members, listening to them, and having the trust with them. That’s the only thing."

In a bid to quelch any 'terror reign' talks, Ben Sulayem highlights the importance free speech holds within the FIA's offices, as well as the committees that are in place to keep his administration in line.

"Have you been in the office of the FIA? I would like you to go to Geneva and go to Paris to see, 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," he concluded.