Tim Mayer Vows to Continue with FIA Forward Campaign

Austin, Texas, October 17 2025.  FIA presidential candidate Tim Mayer has vowed to continue campaigning for transparency, reform and integrity within the Federation despite being prevented from going further in the current election process.  His continued belief in the power of the FIA global membership, and his deep conviction that change is needed, has convinced him to continue with FIA Forward.

With the election not due to take place until December 12, why he has made this decision so early?

The answer lies in the FIA’s electoral process. It so strongly favours the incumbent that candidates face the disheartening prospect of not even getting to the starting gate in what has become a one-horse race.

Under the FIA statutes governing the structure of the election, each prospective candidate must submit by October 24 a Presidential List to include one Vice President for Sport from every global region. Those Vice Presidents must be drawn from the names nominated for positions on the World Motor Sport Council, a list that is already 27% smaller than at the last election.  If there is only one representative from a particular region, and that person has already declared support for the incumbent, then any presidential candidate is left without a chance of standing for election.

Only one candidate from South America was nominated, already aligned with the incumbent, and that was enough to prevent Mayer from moving forward. In the case of Africa, only two candidates were nominated, both supporters of the present President.

“Quite simply,” says Tim Mayer, “there is no choice. There will be no vote between ideas, no contest of visions, no test of leadership. There will be only one candidate and that’s not democracy — that’s the illusion of democracy.

“So the real campaign continues. For every club that still believes fairness matters; for every sport and mobility club that seeks equal access to information, funding, and opportunity; for every participant who believes the FIA should support them, not compete with them. We will continue to speak out for those who cannot and we will not rest until every Member Club feels free to speak for itself.

“Across our extensive travels around the globe, many Member Clubs told me “We want to speak, but we can’t.” They fear losing projects, funding, or recognition if they question the current system and that’s why FIA Forward must persist — not for power, but for principle.

“So, while the rules of the election mean that there will be no election, our cause continues. Our campaign is not over, it is just entering a new phase. We will keep driving the FIA forward until democracy, service, and partnership are not just words in a statute, but the living values that define our Federation every day and we can bring into being the changes the FIA so desperately needs.”

Mayer, 59, and his FIA Forward team have worked tirelessly over the past four months to speak and meet with as many of the Federation’s 245 Member Clubs as possible, representing both Sport and Mobility.  Despite receiving considerable support from very many of the clubs across the world, South America and Africa proved to be insurmountable roadblocks under the current system.

The FIA Forward campaign continues, despite being precluded from the opportunity of taking part in a fair election. This continuation is in great part thanks to the strong and positive feedback Mayer received from so many member clubs and other key stakeholders within and outside the Federation. The desire for change is there and Mayer will campaign with renewed energy and focus to enact that change and provide a better future for the FIA.

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