AUTONEWS

A European leaves, an Arab enters the FIA

The International Automobile Federation (FIA) has a new president. It is Mohammed Ben Sulayem, from the United Arab Emirates, who was elected this Friday, the 17th, after receiving 61.62% of the votes of the members of the organization, against 36.62% of the British Graham Stoker - the percentage of abstentions stood at 1.76%. At 60, the Arab will take over from the Frenchman Jean Todt and will have a term of office valid for four years. “I am very honored to have been elected President of the FIA. I thank all members for their esteem and trust. I congratulate Graham on his campaign and his commitment to the Federation. I wish to express my infinite gratitude on behalf of the FIA ​​and its members to Jean Todt for all that has been achieved over the past 12 years. I'm committed to continuing this important work and taking motorsport and mobility further forward,” he said.

Chairman of the Emirates Motorsports Organization (EMSO) since 2005, Mohammed Ben Sulayem was deputy of the FIA ​​World Motor Sport Council for the Middle East. A former rally driver, the millionaire was a 14-time FIA ​​Middle East champion, winning 61 international races from 1983 to 2002. He campaigned under the motto “FIA for members”, pledging to double the sport's participation motorized around the world, strengthen diversity and inclusion, and be an opinion leader on sustainable mobility. Elected, he named Carmelo Sanz de Barros as president of the Senate, Robert Reid as vice president of sport and Tim Shearman as vice president for mobility.

Jean Todt, who had been at the helm of the FIA ​​for the past 12 years, passed the baton to Mohammed Ben Sulayem and took stock of his passage in the Federation. “A chapter has come to an end. We can collectively be satisfied with our achievements in motor sport and safe and sustainable mobility over the past 12 years. I would like to warmly thank my team, our management and all of our Member Clubs for their determined commitment, enthusiasm and resilience. I congratulate Mohammed on his election as President of the FIA ​​and I wish him, his team and the Federation every success in the coming years”, he commented.