Dec.12 (GMM) Mohammed Ben Sulayem has brushed off criticism and legal challenges as FIA member clubs prepared to vote in Tashkent on Friday to confirm him for a second four-year term as president.
Multiple candidates attempted to stand against him, but were blocked under the FIA’s heavily disputed eligibility procedures – prompting accusations of a rigged process and even emergency court action.
None succeeded, leaving Ben Sulayem effectively unopposed.
Speaking to AFP on the eve on election day, the Emirati was unapologetic. Asked why alternative candidates were unable to present their programs to the federation, he fired back: “Why didn’t these candidates go to Latin America to defend their program?
“You have to go and meet people, gain their trust so they support your candidacy. That’s democracy, for God’s sake.”
Despite widespread controversy during his first mandate – from the driver jewellery and swearing clampdowns to governance rows, ethics complaints, and high-profile clashes over F1’s commercial direction – Ben Sulayem said he would change “nothing”.
“I would say I am looking forward for the next four years,” he insisted.
“Cleaning the house was not easy. Getting the right people in the FIA was a challenge. Now I can tell you, it was worth the four years of investment.
“And if you tell me now, ‘If you have the power to rewind the four years, what would you do differently?’ Nothing.”
He said much of the pushback he faced stemmed from issues he saw as trivial. “I didn’t expect to face so many situations that are simply a matter of common sense. Before I arrived, the FIA wasn’t fully assuming its responsibilities,” said the 64-year-old.
As for criticism of the election process, Ben Sulayem rejected all claims of manipulation: “Nothing has changed. The rules are still there – I simply inherited them.”
He also dismissed his unpopularity.
“I wouldn’t have gotten this far without having overcome these challenges, these attacks,” he said. “I was attacked day and night, but does that matter to me? I ignore it all and focus on what I promised to do.”
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