Tim Mayer blasts Ben Sulayem’s FIA policies and governance
Former FIA veteran steward Tim Mayer has launched a series of criticisms against the governing body's president Mohammed Ben Sulayem following his dismissal this week from the governing body.
Mayer, who served the FIA for 15 years, alleges his removal reflects broader issues within the federation’s leadership under Ben Sulayem, citing personal grievances, controversial policy changes, and mismanagement of key roles.
Mayer accused Ben Sulayem of meddling in the stewards’ work through indirect channels, undermining their independence.
He pointed to the enforcement of penalties for drivers using profanity as an example of the president’s undue influence.
"There are times when he has directly involved himself in making his views known. Not with the stewards directly, but via his staff,” Mayer explained in an interview with BBC Sport.
"Part of the job of the stewards is to enforce the FIA's policy on the rules.”
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Both Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc faced penalties for swearing in a press conference at recent races, which Mayer suggested was a misplaced focus.
"Technically, bad language is outlawed, so it's not unfair. Whether it's sensible we should be chasing drivers for rather mild swearing is another matter.
"Most drivers, English is their second, third or fourth language, and every go-kart kid in the world, it's the first word[s] they are taught in English. There are other ways to handle that kind of thing unless your desire is to flex your muscles."
The circumstances surrounding Mayer's dismissal have also raised eyebrows. The American suggests that his removal was a direct consequence of his involvement in an appeal by the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) regarding a post-race track invasion.
Mayer believes that Ben Sulayem took offense to the appeal, which he oversaw as the event’s sporting organizer, leading to his termination.
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The appeal followed a €500,000 fine, with €350,000 suspended, levied against COTA after fans invaded the track after the U.S. Grand Prix. Mayer had sought to reword the penalty to avoid implying negligence on COTA’s part.
"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.
"There was no intention of trying to cause a problem with the FIA and I will continue as the sporting organiser of the three US Grands Prix. This was such a minor point that it is baffling that anyone would take such offence."
Mayer also revealed that his firing by a mere text message by one of Ben Sulayem’s assistants was a clear lack of professionalism.
"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," Mayer remarked.
Finally, Mayer also voiced alarm over the sudden removal of Janette Tan, deputy Formula 2 race director, whom he praised as one of the most promising individuals in the FIA.
Tan had been positioned to take over from Rui Marques, who is currently handling both Formula 1 and Formula 2 duties.
"She [Tan] is the epitome of the type of person we want working for the FIA, the best of the next generation of race directors” he said. “I don't know the circumstances, but one would think they would work very hard to keep someone of her character."
Mayer warned that the FIA is depleting its talent pool, creating a precarious situation for critical roles.
"There aren't a lot of 'platinum-level' FIA race directors, which is the FIA's highest level certification. I'm one of them,” he said.
“It's a lot of work and, if you are doing the job right, you wake up every day with an ulcer thinking of all the various things you need to be thinking about.
"They're not doing themselves any favours. They are literally running out of people to do those jobs."
Mayer intends to continue his work as the sporting organizer for the three U.S. Grands Prix despite his dismissal as a steward. However, his remarks underscore a growing unease within the FIA over its leadership and operational decisions.
The federation has yet to respond to Mayer’s claims, but his criticisms highlight tensions that could have far-reaching implications for the governance of motorsport’s pinnacle.
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