Sacked F1 race steward Mayer takes aim at FIA president

Sacked F1 race steward Tim Mayer has taken intention at FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem in a collection of claims.

Mayer, who was this week axed by Ben Sulayem, says the president “instantly concerned himself in making his views identified” throughout the organisation.

A stewards’ panel is assigned to every race and represents an unbiased physique of officers to supervise the race, nevertheless, Mayer says Ben Sulayem aired his views “not with the stewards instantly, however by way of his workers”.

Mayer additionally revealed that the controversial resolution to punish drivers for swearing additionally got here from the FIA president. 

Max Verstappen was hit with a group service punishment for swearing on the Singapore GP whereas Charles Leclerc was fined €10,000, half of which was suspended, for swearing on the race in Mexico.

Mayer informed BBC Sport: “His [Ben Sulayem’s] view that the drivers must be penalised for swearing – that’s his view and what has occurred since displays that.”

Mayer added: “There are occasions when he has instantly concerned himself in making his views identified. Not with the stewards instantly, however by way of his workers.

“A part of the job of the stewards is to implement the FIA’s coverage on the principles.

Steven Kalifowitz, CMO, Crypto, Tim Mayer, Director of Car Competitors Committee of america, and Miami Dolphins Cornerback Jalen Ramsey, on the rostrum for the trophy displays

Picture by: Mark Sutton

“Technically, dangerous language is outlawed, so it is not unfair. Whether or not it is smart we ought to be chasing drivers for reasonably gentle swearing is one other matter.

“Most drivers, English is their second, third or fourth language, and each go-kart child on the earth, it is the primary phrase[s] they’re taught in English. There are different methods to deal with that type of factor except your need is to flex your muscle tissues.”

Mayer’s accusation is extraordinarily severe after Ben Sulayem was subjected to an inner investigation into the result of the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

A whistleblower had claimed that Ben Sulayem allegedly intervened to overturn a post-race penalty issued to Fernando Alonso, who had been handed a 10-second time penalty for having work carried out to his automotive whereas serving a five-second penalty that he had obtained earlier within the race.

Alonso, who was initially hit with a penalty for being out of place on the grid, had his automotive touched by a rear jack when he got here in to serve his sanction.

In March this 12 months, a whistleblower claimed that Ben Sulayem referred to as Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa – the FIA’s vice-president for sport for the Center East and North Africa area, who was on the race in an official capability, and made his ideas identified that the penalty ought to be dropped.

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin F1 Crew, provisionally third place, with the trophy

Picture by: Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Photographs

The ten-second punishment was certainly rescinded and Alonso was allowed to maintain his third place.

After a assessment by its personal panel, the FIA stated there was no proof to assist the accusation and Ben Sulayem was cleared by the organisation’s Ethics Committee.

Sacked by textual content message

Mayer, who labored for the organisation for 15 years, stated he discovered of his sacking by way of textual content message from one in all Ben Sulayem’s assistants on Tuesday.

He stated: “For a federation that depends on volunteers to fireplace by textual content someone who has made a major contribution doesn’t communicate effectively of the administration of the federation.”

Talking concerning the cause for his dismissal, Mayer believes it was as a result of Ben Sulayem “took offence” following an enchantment by the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) chiefs following a observe invasion by followers.

Mayer oversaw the fitting of assessment for the organisers of america Grand Prix after they had been fined €500,000, with €350,000 suspended, following spectators operating on the observe after the race in October.

Mayer was working in his different position because the sporting organiser and had been attempting to get the official punishment reworded to take away any suggestion of negligence on COTA’s behalf.

Max Verstappen, Pink Bull Racing RB20, George Russell, Mercedes F1 W15, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24, Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-24, the remainder of the sector at the beginning of the Dash

Picture by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Photographs

He was instantly struck off the stewards’ panel for the Brazilian Grand Prix earlier than being fired this week, citing how Ben Sulayem felt the enchantment was “a private assault”.

Mayer stated: “The official cause that will probably be given is that they felt there was a battle of curiosity with the FIA as I had led the fitting of assessment in my position as organiser.

“However that’s not why I used to be fired. Being an organiser is a job that I’ve fulfilled, benefiting the FIA, for over 12 years. This is not new.

“Regardless of the matter being resolved quietly and amicably, he is nonetheless upset and determined to fireplace me. After 15 years of volunteering my time as a steward, a decade educating different stewards and lots of of hours volunteering in different roles, I acquired a textual content from one in all his assistants.”

He added: “There was no intention of attempting to trigger an issue with the FIA and I’ll proceed because the sporting organiser of the three US Grands Prix. This was such a minor level that it’s baffling that anybody would take such offence.”

FIA departures mounting up

His departure comes after Janette Tan was inexplicably faraway from her position because the deputy Method 2 race director.

Mayer and Tan’s departures add to an inventory of exits from F1’s governing physique.

Former F1 race director, Niels Wittich, and FIA compliance officer, Paolo Basarri, additionally left their roles just lately, whereas within the final 12 months, the organisation has misplaced sporting director Tim Nielsen, technical director Tim Goss, managing director Natalie Robyn, head of fee for girls Deborah Mayer, secretary common of mobility Jacob Bangsgaard and director of communications Luke Skipper.

Niels Wittich, Race Director, FIA

Picture by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Photographs

Mayer is alarmed by Tan’s departure as she had been set to take over from Rui Marques, who changed Wittich because the FIA’s F1 race director.

It means Marques will now oversee each F1 and F2 at this week’s Qatar GP and subsequent week’s race in Abu Dhabi, in addition to the F1 Academy.

Mayer stated: “She [Tan] is the epitome of the kind of particular person we would like working for the FIA, one of the best of the subsequent era of race administrators. I do not know the circumstances, however one would suppose they might work very exhausting to maintain somebody of her character.

“I understand how exhausting each of these jobs are. I like Rui loads, however it’ll put him beneath unimaginable strain.

“There aren’t numerous ‘platinum-level’ FIA race administrators, which is the FIA’s highest degree certification. I am one in all them. It is numerous work and, if you’re doing the job proper, you get up day-after-day with an ulcer considering of all the varied issues that you must be excited about.

“They are not doing themselves any favours. They’re actually operating out of individuals to do these jobs.”

Motorsport.com has contacted the FIA for remark.