American motorsport official Tim Mayer formally launched his campaign to become president of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, declaring at a press conference at Silverstone on 4 July that “member clubs deserve better” and that the governing body needs “new energy, new focus and renewed integrity.” Mayer, 59, is the first candidate to challenge incumbent Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who is seeking a second four-year term in the election due in December. A former Formula 1 steward for more than 15 years and the son of McLaren co-founder Teddy Mayer, the U.S. executive said Ben Sulayem had failed to deliver on campaign pledges made in 2021, including commitments to transparency, stronger governance and a non-executive presidency. Mayer criticised what he called a concentration of power in the president’s office and pledged to “champion the small clubs” while rebuilding relations with drivers and other stakeholders. Ben Sulayem’s tenure has been marked by high-profile departures and internal disputes: deputy president for sport Robert Reid quit in April citing a “crisis” in governance, and the FIA has faced backlash over tighter rules on driver conduct and changes that made it harder to contest the presidency. Although 36 national clubs recently issued a letter supporting Ben Sulayem, Mayer said the only vote that counts is the December ballot and vowed to seek backing “door to door.”