Dutch royal associated with FIA presidential campaign.
"Bernhard has demonstrated his capabilities"
The prospective president of the FIA may receive support from a member of the Dutch royal family. Prince Bernhard van Oranje-Nassau, a cousin of King Willem-Alexander and co-owner of Zandvoort, has been approached to serve as a strategic advisor to Tim Mayer, the American official preparing to contest the current president Mohammed Ben Sulayem in the upcoming December election. Mayer, a former FIA steward who departed from the organization after a disagreement with Ben Sulayem, confirmed this outreach in an interview with De Telegraaf.
"Bernhard has demonstrated his capabilities, and I believe he possesses the essential qualities that are vital for the future of motorsport. This extends beyond just motorsport; it also encompasses global mobility, as the FIA's role exceeds that of a sporting body," Mayer stated. "Furthermore, the Zandvoort Grand Prix has been an exceptional example for everyone regarding sustainability. Bernhard has accomplished significant achievements as an entrepreneur and has a talent for uniting people. This ability is crucial for the FIA, as it needs to maintain strong relationships with all its stakeholders."
At 55 years old, Van Oranje has been involved in motorsport for many years—ranging from competing in Dutch GT events to co-owning Zandvoort since 2016. He played a key role in bringing Formula 1 back to the Netherlands in 2021, although the event is set to disappear again after 2026 due to financial concerns.
Mayer emphasizes that his campaign represents a departure from Ben Sulayem’s troubled leadership. "We must significantly reduce costs. Currently, it costs 600,000 euros to run a season in Formula 4, which is clearly absurd,” he contended. “Additionally, many processes are overly complicated, and we need to enhance our relationships with mobility clubs across the globe. In essence, a cultural change is necessary," he added. "The FIA should function as a service provider, not as an organization imposing its authority on others. This is why we value the insights of someone like Bernhard, as he has consistently shown the ability to forge relationships and possesses excellent ideas for a transparent FIA."
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