The FIA disagrees with Tim Meyer's criticism.

      The FIA reacted very strongly to the criticism directed at the federation during yesterday’s press conference by Tim Mayer, who withdrew his candidacy from the organization’s upcoming presidential election. Mayer said he would not take part, calling the procedure “an illusion of democracy,” and he also urged people to consider why there are almost a third fewer names on the list of candidates than at the previous election. However, the FIA said that the procedures for holding the election had been announced a long time ago, that they had not changed since the previous election, and that potential candidates had the opportunity to prepare in advance and submit lists of their supporters to the World Motor Sport Council. The federation’s official spokesman said in a statement: “The election of the FIA President is an orderly and democratic process that at all stages ensures compliance with the principles of fairness and ethical standards. The requirements for the 2025 election, including the relevant deadlines and the qualification criteria applied to the list of candidates, are set out in the FIA Statutes and internal regulations, which are publicly available on the FIA’s official website. Detailed information regarding the election is also available to the press and was published on the relevant page of the federation’s website on 13 June 2025 and communicated to all FIA members. The requirements relating to candidates for vice-presidents, who must represent the regional organizations and be elected from members of the World Motor Sport Council, are not new. These criteria were also in effect at the previous election…” Thus the FIA made it clear that Mayer and other potential candidates had had sufficient time to prepare. After he declined to take part in the December election, it is quite likely that it will be held unopposed, and Mohammed Ben Sulayem has every chance of remaining in his post as president of the federation.