Exclusive-Ben Sulayem declares bid for second term as FIA president

MONACO :Mohammed Ben Sulayem will stand for a second four-year term as FIA president in December, saying he would welcome any rival candidate and that he is on a mission to grow motorsport and make Formula One's governing body stronger.

Speaking to Reuters at the Monaco Grand Prix, the Emirati said he had taken the decision, which was widely assumed, after conferring with members of the International Automobile Federation.

"I feel having three years in a complex federation like the FIA is not enough," the 63-year-old former rally driver explained, stating his re-election bid openly for the first time.

He said he was proud of what had been achieved under his mandate and saw no reason to do anything differently second time around.

"Do I need more time? Yes. Has it been easy? Never. Has it been enjoyable? Sometimes.

"So, I am going (to stand). I consulted with most of the members. I speak to them."

The Emirati said he wanted to "keep growing motorsport. To make the FIA stronger and stronger. This is my ambition and that's what I will do.".

He suggested the FIA, which ultimately owns the Formula One championship although the long-term commercial rights are held by Liberty Media, had been "neglected".

"Raw deals have been given to the FIA. It doesn't make sense to me that one (Formula One) driver and one team principal make more money than all of the FIA, and the FIA owns the championship. Is that fair?," he said.

Ben Sulayem's first term has been marked by controversy since he was elected in 2021 as successor to former Ferrari team boss Jean Todt.

There have been battles with Liberty Media over commercial matters and accusations of sexism, and he has angered drivers in both rallying and Formula One by clamping down on swearing with