Opponent criticizes incumbent as FIA dispute intensifies.

      "The FIA process will continue"

      Tim Mayer utilized the formal announcement of his candidacy for the FIA presidency to criticize the current president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem. The American, a seasoned motorsport official and F1 steward who was dismissed via text by the FIA president late last year, officially launched his 'FIA Forward' campaign outside the Silverstone circuit on Friday. F1 team principals, who have often had a strained relationship with the controversial Ben Sulayem, tentatively welcomed the competing bid to lead Formula 1's governing body. "Aside from the headline, I like Tim," stated fellow American Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren. "Clearly, he has some family ties to McLaren." Indeed, 59-year-old Mayer's father was the renowned McLaren team principal Teddy Mayer. "He has a racing heritage," affirmed Aston Martin's Andy Cowell. "Racing flows in his veins. The FIA process will proceed, and we’ll know the outcome in December." Officially, Mayer’s campaign indicates that its aim is to "enhance the reputation of the FIA and our member clubs." However, during discussions with the media, he candidly expressed his views about the current FIA president, who has declared his intention to run for re-election on December 12 in Uzbekistan. "The president took office four years ago with promising ideas," Mayer was quoted as saying by Auto Motor und Sport. "But ultimately, we witnessed a centralization of power. It shouldn’t be about holding onto power. As FIA president, your duty is to serve the associations," he stressed. "I’m disappointed in Mohammed," Mayer acknowledged. "His leadership skills are lacking."