Tim Mayer’s Challenge to FIA Leadership: A New Alternative

Earlier this month, Tim Mayer, who was dismissed from his role as a steward by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem last year, announced his candidacy against him in the upcoming election. Mayer emphasized that his campaign is not motivated by revenge but rather aims to present a viable alternative to a president who, in his view, has failed to fulfill significant promises made during the 2021 election campaign.

Mayer has now unveiled his own "impact manifesto," which articulates the mission to offer member clubs a compelling choice against the existing FIA leadership. His focus is on executing the FIA’s goals in an ethical and effective manner. While the core message remains consistent, Mayer has included additional specifics and, crucially, a strong emphasis on actionable delivery, featuring measurable milestones throughout his proposal.

Critique of Current FIA Leadership

During the launch of his campaign, Mayer did not hold back in criticizing the current regime. He pointed to what he described as "the illusion of progress and the illusion of leadership." This choice of language is indicative of the emotive and powerful tone he has adopted in his manifesto. However, it is worth noting that key components concerning mobility and sports have yet to be disclosed.

Mayer’s presentation further reinforces his claim that the management processes of the FIA have become less transparent under the incumbent president. The opening slide of his presentation initially states "Governance manifesto," only to have the word "governance" dramatically crossed out and replaced with "impact." This visual change sets the tone for the rest of the presentation, which asserts that "FIA Governance Is continually reported POOR AND DECLINING in Global Standings." Mayer aims to elevate the FIA to the "Top 20% Of Governing Bodies by Globally Recognized Measures by 2028."

Key Milestones for Transformation

Mayer outlines a transformative agenda, shifting from a control culture to a service culture within the FIA. The first milestone, labeled "Day 1," proposes to "Roll Back Presidential Excess." This includes reducing the president’s authority over executive and audit committees, particularly the controversial ability to dismiss elected members at will. Mayer argues that "no institution in the world should allow those elected to be the watchdogs to be fired by the very executive they are supposed to oversee."

The campaign’s timeline also includes a "100 days" milestone, during which Mayer pledges to reset the leadership structure so that the president has a defined role within the organization without holding executive power. By this point, he commits to establishing a "Grant Support Department" aimed at helping member clubs grow, creating an independent financial oversight committee, and initiating a "Truth and Reconciliation mechanism." This mechanism is designed to investigate past internal abuses and ethical breaches, with the intent of healing rather than seeking retribution.

Financial Strategy and Long-Term Goals

Mayer’s first-year objectives are primarily centered on financial strategy. He plans to streamline expenses, allocate a percentage of revenue to member clubs for investment, and diversify FIA’s income sources to reduce reliance on specific championships. While this is a veiled reference to Formula 1, it raises complex issues regarding the FIA’s need to maintain a separation between its regulatory and commercial roles.

This necessity for balance was highlighted when the current administration announced it would take control of the commercial rights to the World Rallycross Championship, a move that drew considerable controversy and scrutiny from regulatory bodies.

The goals for the second to fourth years of Mayer’s presidency would expand in scope, focusing on enhancing the growth of member clubs and revising statutes that were implemented under Ben Sulayem and former president Jean Todt. These revisions would aim to make it more challenging for the sitting president to manipulate electoral processes. Mayer’s language here is particularly direct: he seeks to "Eliminate Statutes Designed To Allow the Incumbent To Manipulate."

One of the major proposed changes includes requiring that any statute modification must be publicly disclosed at least 120 days before a vote. This would give member clubs ample time to discuss and understand any changes. In a recent meeting, the FIA’s general assembly voted on controversial changes to the electoral process, despite objections from Austria’s national motoring club, which had requested a postponement for further discussion.

Engagement and Open-Source Strategy

Mayer wraps up his presentation by inviting feedback from member clubs on his proposals, which his campaign refers to as "open-source strategy development." This approach underscores the campaign’s theme of differentiating Mayer’s vision for the FIA from the current leadership’s methods.

However, a crucial aspect of moving forward with his campaign lies in presenting a team of vice-presidents sourced from a global array of motoring clubs. While it is understood that such a team has been assembled, their identities have not yet been disclosed. This decision aims to prevent counter-moves, such as the recent "support letter" for the incumbent that was released by several motoring clubs ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix.

In 2013, when David Ward withdrew his candidacy against Todt, it was primarily because Todt had already garnered support from 11 out of 12 North American motoring clubs.

The Importance of Mobility and Sport

As member clubs prepare to make their decisions in the upcoming months, the aspects of Mayer’s manifesto related to mobility and sport—yet to be revealed—are likely to be of significant interest. While ethical governance is essential, the practical question of "What can you do for me?" often takes precedence in the minds of club members.

Mayer’s challenge to the current FIA leadership is set against a backdrop of evolving expectations from member clubs and stakeholders alike. His focus on transparency, accountability, and a service-oriented approach aims to resonate with those who feel that the organization has strayed from its core mission.

In conclusion, Tim Mayer’s candidacy represents a pivotal moment for the FIA as it grapples with issues of governance, transparency, and member engagement. By laying out a robust framework for change, he hopes to not only challenge the status quo but also re-engage member clubs in a meaningful dialogue about the future of the organization. The coming months will be critical as Mayer seeks to outline his vision further and solidify support among the various clubs that comprise the FIA.