Former rally driver, the Emirati Mohammed Ben Sulayem takes over from Jean Todt at the head of the International Automobile Federation.
The result of the election of the president of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), held this Friday in Paris, is historic. Indeed, for the very first time, the institution is now headed by a non-European president. The lucky winner is a former rally driver by the name of Mohammed Ben Sulayem. The 60-year-old candidate was opposed to Britain’s Graham Stoker, aged 69. By being elected at the head of the FIA, with more than 61% of the votes, he takes the succession of Frenchman Jean Todt, who held this position since 2009, with three consecutive terms.
Former rally driver
Born in Dubai on November 12, 1961, Mohammed Ben Sulayem first illustrated himself behind a wheel. A former rally driver, he won several regional titles, notably being crowned 14 times in the Middle East Rally Championship from 1986 to 2002. Before being elected President of the FIA, he was head of the UAE Motorsport Federation. Since 2008, he also sat on the World Motor Sport Council as Vice President of Sport at the FIA. “I am truly honored to be elected President of the FIA. Thank you all. I am touched by the trust you have placed in me and in the team and we are committed to governing in the interest of all members ”, reacted the interested party through social networks.
Candidate for rupture
While Graham Stoker would have embodied the continuity of the mandates of Jean Todt, Mohammed Ben Sulayem positioned himself as a candidate for the rupture. His project for the next four years consists of accentuating the development of motorsport at the local level by making the practice of the various disciplines more affordable, by providing greater control over cost control at the base of the pyramid. In addition, the new president of the International Automobile Federation intends work to improve the financial situation of the institution by considering the establishment of transparent financial reports. Finally, he could appoint a CEO to head the FIA to manage it, which would be a first.
I am truly honoured to be elected President of the @Son. Thank you all so much. I am humbled by the trust you’ve placed in me and the team and we pledge to govern in the interests of all members. pic.twitter.com/9E7TiG0PyG
— Mohammed Ben Sulayem (@Ben_Sulayem) December 17, 2021
Photo : Icon Sport
More informations :
Interview Jean Todt (President of the FIA): “Formula E is unique! “
FIA 2021 Gala: watch the crowning of Max Verstappen live
F1 – Abu Dhabi: an “unacceptable”, “manipulated” end of the race?
Former rally driver, the Emirati Mohammed Ben Sulayem takes over from Jean Todt at the head of the International Automobile Federation.
The result of the election of the president of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), held this Friday in Paris, is historic. Indeed, for the very first time, the institution is now headed by a non-European president. The lucky winner is a former rally driver by the name of Mohammed Ben Sulayem. The 60-year-old candidate was opposed to Britain’s Graham Stoker, aged 69. By being elected at the head of the FIA, with more than 61% of the votes, he takes the succession of Frenchman Jean Todt, who held this position since 2009, with three consecutive terms.
Former rally driver
Born in Dubai on November 12, 1961, Mohammed Ben Sulayem first illustrated himself behind a wheel. A former rally driver, he won several regional titles, notably being crowned 14 times in the Middle East Rally Championship from 1986 to 2002. Before being elected President of the FIA, he was head of the UAE Motorsport Federation. Since 2008, he also sat on the World Motor Sport Council as Vice President of Sport at the FIA. “I am truly honored to be elected President of the FIA. Thank you all. I am touched by the trust you have placed in me and in the team and we are committed to governing in the interest of all members ”, reacted the interested party through social networks.
Candidate for rupture
While Graham Stoker would have embodied the continuity of the mandates of Jean Todt, Mohammed Ben Sulayem positioned himself as a candidate for the rupture. His project for the next four years consists of accentuating the development of motorsport at the local level by making the practice of the various disciplines more affordable, by providing greater control over cost control at the base of the pyramid. In addition, the new president of the International Automobile Federation intends work to improve the financial situation of the institution by considering the establishment of transparent financial reports. Finally, he could appoint a CEO to head the FIA to manage it, which would be a first.
I am truly honoured to be elected President of the @Son. Thank you all so much. I am humbled by the trust you’ve placed in me and the team and we pledge to govern in the interests of all members. pic.twitter.com/9E7TiG0PyG
— Mohammed Ben Sulayem (@Ben_Sulayem) December 17, 2021
Photo : Icon Sport
More informations :
Interview Jean Todt (President of the FIA): “Formula E is unique! “
FIA 2021 Gala: watch the crowning of Max Verstappen live
F1 – Abu Dhabi: an “unacceptable”, “manipulated” end of the race?
