Tim Mayer challenges FIA leadership with reform manifesto

Tim Mayer, former FIA steward who was dismissed last year, has announced his challenge to President Mohammed Ben Sulayem by releasing a comprehensive reform manifesto.

The manifesto emphasizes transforming FIA from a control culture to a service culture — with key focus on reducing presidential executive powers and increasing governance transparency.

Key milestones in Mayer’s proposal include:

• Limiting presidential authority on day one
• Leadership restructuring within 100 days
• Establishing grant support department for member clubs
• Independent financial oversight
• Truth and reconciliation mechanism to investigate ethical breaches

While his reform vision is detailed, crucial parts of the manifesto regarding mobility and sport remain unpublished — as does the list of vice-presidential candidates being kept confidential to avoid political pressure.

The main challenge for Mayer lies in securing support from member clubs who tend to prioritize practical benefits over high-level governance principles.