FIA presidential hopeful Tim Mayer came out swinging to launch his campaign

Whittlebury Hall, nestled in a village that abuts Silverstone, does not feel like the natural venue for the launch of a presidential candidacy – but Tim Mayer seemingly took cues from his compatriots who ran for the top office in America, albeit he was launching his campaign for the top job at the FIA.

The Hockenheim Room played host to Mayer as he stood, snappily dressed in front of his campaign branding ‘FIA Forward’, setting out his manifesto and admitting he will need to get out there “shaking hands and kissing babies” to get his message across to the electorate.

In a space full of respected motorsport journalists Mayer held court, laying out his plans before answering the questions that followed in an impressive manner. There was, again, more than a hint of US presidential primaries about the way he operated and worked the room.

The American explained why he had waited until July – the FIA presidential election will take place in December – to announce he is running, which was not to coincide with the British Grand Prix taking place on the other side of the Whittlebury Park campsite, but because he and his team had waited for the World Motorsport Council meeting in Macau, where the “rules of engagement” for the electoral campaigns were laid out.

Mayer said this had been in the works for six months, that the campaign would cost in the region of $4-6million, that he had backers who were looking for change and willing to contribute. He thanked his wife, spoke of retail politics and said that he had spoken to F1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali before making his intentions public.

Tim Mayer

Photo by: Clive Mason/Getty Images

He may have skirted around some subjects, selecting bombast at times, with sound bites outweighing solid answers – but Mayer did speak on all the major touchstones he would have been keen to address as he straightened his tie in the mirror before walking to his presidential podium.

Having spoken exclusively to Motorsport.com beforehand, Mayer was again happy to address the elephant in the room: the current incumbent Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who he did give credit to for some of the work done across the previous three and a half years.

Ben Sulayem’s term has been marked with controversy, from driver swearing to statute amendments and the departure of several key FIA personnel – down to issues such as the argument over driver underwear, a topic which Mayer could not help referencing.

Whereas Carlos Sainz Sr had refrained from criticism in his short-lived consideration of getting his own name on the ballot paper, Mayer has no concerns when it comes to calling out what he thinks Ben Sulayem has done wrong.

He spoke of an “illusion of inclusion” within the FIA, that staff should not feel under a “reign of terror” whenever they head into the office. When asked about the letter of support for Ben Sulayem signed by no fewer than 36 automobile associations, he likened it to a note he received from his children that spoke of how great he was – received only after he had frozen their pocket money.

Mohammed ben Sulayem, FIA President, Nikolas Tombazis, FIA Single Seater Director

Photo by: Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images

Mayer called for a respectful fight for the presidency come the end of the year, saying he was not prepared to be in the gutter, scrapping it out with Ben Sulayem – a man who he worked under as an FIA steward and race director before claiming to have been fired by text message.

He insists this is not a revenge mission for seeing his lengthy tenure come to a shuddering halt, more that he wants to bring change to the FIA. He officially announced his intention to run on 4 July – Independence Day in the USA.

A coincidence, Mayer pointed out, but if he can continue to be as impressive as he was on Friday morning it is safe to say he will not go quietly into the night and he will not vanish without a fight.