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10/17 11:05 CDT American Tim Mayer ends uphill bid for president of FIA
president, says ballot rules are unfair
American Tim Mayer ends uphill bid for president of FIA president, says ballot
rules are unfair
By JIM VERTUNO
AP Sports Writer
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) --- Former Formula 1 race steward Tim Mayer on Friday ended
his bid for president of the sport's governing body, citing ballot rules that
he said effectively set up incumbent Mohammed Ben Sulayem to stand unopposed in
the December election.
Mayer, an American who is the son of McLaren team co-founder Teddy Mayer,
already faced being left off the FIA ballot when it is finalized next week
because he had failed to gain the necessary support of vice presidential
candidates from various regions in the world.
"There will be a formal vote, but it will be for only one candidate," Mayer
said at a news conference ahead of this weekend's United States Grand Prix at
the Circuit of the Americas in Texas. "This is no longer a democratic process
when choice is replaced by control."
FIA rules make it a daunting task to organize an opposition campaign. Mayer had
to travel around the world chasing the votes of 245 member clubs in 149
countries to assemble lengthy lists of candidates for other posts.
Mayer said he logged "about 200,00O miles" and complained the rules unfavorably
tilted the ballot toward Ben Sulayem. He noted the only South American on the
list of eligible vice presidential candidates had already committed to the
incumbent.
Other declared candidates include Swiss racing driver Laura Villars and Belgian
journalist Virginia Philipott, who both said they intended to become the FIA's
first female president. But Mayer was the most visible candidate of the group
of challengers, and they also face the same ballot access restrictions.
The FIA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Mayer had announced in July he would challenge Ben Sulayem, complaining that
the incumbent had amassed too much power, clashed with star drivers and failed
to deliver on promises of reform.
Mayer also promised a more democratic body and more resources to grassroots
auto racing outside of wealthy nations.
Mayer has held senior roles in U.S. racing series and was a long-time F1
steward until last year. Meyer said he was asked to step down after Ben Sulayem
objected to his role in an appeal filed by the Circuit of the Americas in
relation to an FIA fine.
Mayer would not commit to trying to run again in the future, but said he would
continue to push for changes in the FIA structure.
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