The Formula 1 world is again in a stir through controversies around FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem (MBS), who is reportedly trying to change the articles of association of the Autosportbond to extend its presidency. According to messages fromBBC SportAnd posts on X, such as those of @lamberesing on May 14, 2025, wants to advance Ben Sulayem the deadline for candidates and rivals exclude on the basis of “conflicts of interest,” a move that critics see as a grip. This attempt has led to fierce criticism from important figures in motorsport, including former FIA-Steward Tim Mayer, who announced his candidacy on July 4, 2025 to challenge Ben Sulayem. The indignation within the F1 government is growing, while the future of the sport is at stake.

Ben Sulayem, who succeeded Jean Todt in 2021, has made a series of controversial decisions since he took office that made him unpopular. His proposal to change the FIA ​​statutes, discussed during the General Meeting in Macau in June 2025, includes measures that would strengthen its grip on the organization.F1Maximaal.nlIt reported on 12 June 2025 that these changes threaten the credibility of the FIA, with critics who speak of a “dark period for motorsport.” One of the proposals would enable Ben Sulayem to do candidates such as Carlos Sainz Sr. To block, among other things because of family ties with active drivers, a rule that many consider randomly. David Richards, former bar team boss and representative of the United Kingdom in the World Motor Sport Council, expressed his worries against theBBC, warning that large organizations would refuse to work with the FIA ​​if it does not meet high standards of governance.

The timing of these controversies is striking. On June 25, 2025, a day before the FIA ​​published guidelines for stewards, Sainz Sr. his candidacy for the presidency, so Ben Sulayem almost certainly seemed like a new term, as reported bynl.motorsport.com. However, Tim Mayer’s announcement as a counter candidate on July 4, 2025, as shared by @GPBLOG_NL, has revived the battle for leadership. Mayer, who was previously fired by Ben Sulayem, expressed fierce criticism of the current president, describing his leadership style as an unavailable and authoritarian. Posts on X, such as @Formula1, emphasize that Mayer’s candidacy is a direct challenge for Ben Sulayem’s attempts to manipulate the rules to his advantage.

The dissatisfaction within the F1 community is further fed by earlier controversies under Ben Sulayem’s regime. In January 2025, the FIA ​​introduced stricter rules against “misconduct” of drivers, such as Scheldt, which led to mass criticism.GPFans.comIt reported on January 24, 2025 that fans feared that these rules, which make heavy penalties possible, could force drivers such as Max Verstappen for early retirement. A post from @catstappen33 on x reflects this sentiment: “Max Verstappen Retirement is Calling because New F1 Guidelines That Fia Made Are Something Else.” Although Ben Sulayem announced in April 2025 to reconsider these rules after criticism from drivers, as reported byRacingNews365.nl, this has done little to restore his reputation.

The call for transparency and consistency in F1 regulations is growing. On June 26, 2025, the FIA ​​published guidelines for stewards, a step that Ben Sulayem presented as an attempt at more openness, as stated innl.motorsport.com. However, critics such as Oliver Schmerold of the Austrian motor sport federation doubt whether these measures are sufficient, and the proposed changes to the articles of association “No good governance.” The F1 teams, supported by the Concorde Agreement, demand a voice in decision-making, and there is a fear that Ben Sulayem’s actions could encourage the teams to split up, as suggested in a Reddit discussion onR/Formula1on February 5, 2025.

With the FIA ​​elections in December 2025 in sight, Ben Sulayem is under immense pressure. Mayer’s candidacy offers hope for change, but the power structure of the FIA, in which smaller motorsport unions have as much voting rights as traditional superpowers, makes a revolution difficult.GPblog.comcompares it with the “FIFA-Sepp Blatter model,” in which Ben Sulayem strengthens its position by supporting smaller countries. While the F1 is preparing for an exciting 2026 season with new regulations, the future of sport depends on the outcome of this battle for leadership. The indignation within the F1 government shows that the call for honest governance is louder than ever.