Carlos Sainz Sr’s hopes of ousting current FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem have taken an early blow after a hefty number of automobile clubs signed a letter throwing their weight behind the incumbent.
Although many speculated that Ben Sulayem would run unopposed in the upcoming presidential election, Diwida was the first to report that he faces competition from Nasser Al-Attiyah, a two-time World Rally Champion and four-time Dakar Rally winner. Sainz was considering a challenge .
Ben Sulayem’s reign has not been without controversy, including overseeing a string of key figures leaving the governing body, excluding FIA members from meetings and displeasing motorists by prohibiting profanity .
Currently, the 63-year-old Emirati has garnered significant backing from 36 FIA member clubs predominantly located in the Americas, along with the FIA Vice President for Sports in South America, Fabiana Ecclestone, who is married to Bernie.
"President Mohammed, representing the member clubs mentioned below, we pen this message to convey our deep appreciation for your dedicated service, unwavering commitment, forward-thinking vision, and most importantly, the fulfillment of promises outlined in your Manifesto which you made to us—the members," the correspondence states.
We all clearly recognize the dire financial condition you were left to handle. Had it not been for your immediate and courageous steps taken right from the start, the future of the FIA could have been jeopardized. Achieving such a remarkable transformation within just four years is truly exceptional, particularly considering the concurrent introduction of sophisticated management systems.
Bernie Ecclestone, and his wife Fabiana Ecclestone
Image courtesy of: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
“As club Presidents, we have personally felt and experienced the daily focus you and your leadership team have placed on supporting and engaging with us — the members — treating each of us with equal respect. This inclusive approach is deeply appreciated.
“We also recognise and commend the significant efforts made by you and your team to reposition the FIA as a global leader in both mobility and motorsport. The strength and reputation of the FIA brand have clearly grown as a result of your leadership.
“That said, we understand that four years is a short time to complete the ambitious reforms you have initiated. Therefore, we strongly encourage you to seek re-election at the upcoming AGA, so that you may continue the important work you have started, with our full support, with deep appreciation and optimism for the future, Hermanos.”
Standout names on the list include Fabiana Ecclestone and Carmelo Sanz de Barros, who despite being president of the Spanish motorsport federation, is also the FIA president of the senate.
Who signed the letter?
Ricardo Morales Rubio - President of Colombia motorsport federation and FIA Region IV (South America and Central America) President
Frank Fotia – Chief Operating Officer at the Canadian Automobile Association and FIA Region III (North America and the Caribbean)
Fabiana Ecclestone – Vice President of Sports at FIA – South America
Daniel Coen – President of the Federation of Motor Sports in Costa Rica
Carmelo Sanz de Barros – President of the Spanish Motorsport Federation and FIA SenatorPräsident صند
Gorki Obando – Nominee for Ecuador from FIA
Tim Shearman - FIA Vice President for Automotive Mobility and Tourism and Head of the Canadian Automobile Association
Ivan Dibos - President of the Peruvian Touring and Automobile Club
Pedro Cofino – Head of the Guatemala Motorsports Federation
Jorge Abed - Chairman of the Mexican Motorsports Federation
Selwyn Persad - Member of the Board at the Trinidad & Tobago Automobile Association
Dante Pescetto – President of the Federation of Motorsports in Panama
Stephen Gunter – Head of the Jamaican motorsports association
Hugo Mersan – President of the Paraguayan Motorsports Federation
Alvaro Oliver – President of the Motorsport Federation of the Dominican Republic
David McLaughlin – Chairman of the Bahamas Motorsports Federation
Giovanni Ramos Guerra – President of the Brazilian Motorsports Federation
Jorge Tomasi – Head of Uruguay’s Motorsports Federation
Alejandro Quintana - President of the Federation of Motor Sports in Chile
Gaston Montellano – President of the Federation of Motor Sports in Bolivia
Sebastian Pastor - Chairman of the Honduran Motorsports Federation
Luis Burgos – Chairman of the Puerto Rico Motorsports Federation
César Carman - President of the Argentine Motorsports Federation
Joaquim Melo – President of the Brazilian Car Club
Hugo Barrera - President of theAutomovil Club de El Salvador
Luanda Karla Dantas Guerra serves as the Minister of Sports at the Brazilian Motorsports Confederation.
Enzo Spano - President of the Venezuelan Federation
Alvaro Lacayo - President of the Nicaragua Federation
Carlo Falcone - Chairman of Antigua Pro Racing
Ronald Craan - President of Auto Sport Haiti
Mauricio Melo Avaria - President ofFadech (Chile)
Victor Murga serves as the President of the Belize Automobile Club.
Eric Dobarganes - President of the Cuban Federation
Mahendra Bodhoo - President of the Guyana Motorsport Federation
Adriano Abreu - President of FAD (Dominican Republic)
Aston Eligon - TTASA (Trinidad and Tobago), chairman
Jane Scaletta - President of the Cayman Motor Federation
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