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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Giles Richards

‘Illusion of democracy’: Ben Sulayem’s last rival exits FIA presidential race

Tim Mayer, on the grid at the Dutch Grand Prix.
Tim Mayer, on the grid at the Dutch Grand Prix, could not meet the criteria to stand for election to be president. Photograph: Vincent Mignot/Shutterstock

The FIA has been accused of presenting an “illusion of democracy” in an uncompromising broadside from the last remaining challenger to Mohammed Ben Sulayem as he formally announced his attempt to succeed the organisation’s incumbent president was over. Tim Mayer, a former FIA senior steward, also condemned Formula One’s governing body for lacking transparency and threatening the sport’s future.

The 59-year-old American, who was sacked from his FIA role last year, had been standing as a candidate against Ben Sulayem but on Friday in Austin acknowledged the incumbent would run unopposed because of the way FIA electoral regulations are composed.

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