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{{short description|Emirati |
{{short description|Emirati rally driver and president of FIA (born 1961)}} |
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{{use dmy dates|date=December 2021}} |
{{use dmy dates|date=December 2021}} |
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{{multiple issues| |
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{{condense|date=January 2015}} |
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{{peacock|date=January 2015}} |
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{{more footnotes|BLP=yes|date=July 2013}} |
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{{Infobox officeholder |
{{Infobox officeholder |
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| name = Mohammed Ben Sulayem |
| name = Mohammed Ben Sulayem |
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{{Infobox |
{{Infobox racing driver|subbox=yes |
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| name = <!-- leave empty if it is below another infobox --> |
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| image = |
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| Years = 1988–1995 |
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| image_size = <!-- defaults to 180px unless a value is entered --> |
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| Teams = [[Ford World Rally Team|Ford]], [[Toyota Team Europe|Toyota]] |
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| nationality = <!-- use only when necessary per [[WP:INFONAT]] --> |
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| Races = 18 |
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| full_name = <!-- Only if different from name --> |
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| Wins = 0 |
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| birth_name = <!-- Only if different from name --> |
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| Podiums = 0 |
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| death_date = <!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} (death date then birth date) --> |
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| First race = 1988 [[Acropolis Rally]] |
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| Last race = 1995 [[Rally New Zealand]] |
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| retired = <!-- year of retirement --> |
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| related to = <!-- list of notable relatives with line breaks --> |
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| last series = [[ Middle East Rally Championship]] |
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| years active = 1983–2002 |
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| teams = [[Ford World Rally Team|Ford]], [[Toyota Team Europe|Toyota]] |
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| prev series = <!-- previous series with line breaks --> |
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| titles = 14 X [[Middle East Rally Championship]] |
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'''Mohammed |
'''Mohammed Ahmad Sultan Ben Sulayem''' ({{lang-ar|محمد بن سليم}}; born 12 November 1961) is an [[Emiratis|Emirati]] former rally driver and current president of the [[Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile]] (FIA), the governing body of many auto racing events including [[Formula One]]. |
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He is |
He is a former rally driver, and one of the most successful [[Middle East Rally Championship]] drivers, winning 14 titles. In 2005, he became the President of the [[Automobile & Touring Club of the United Arab Emirates|Emirates Motorsports Organization]], the representative of the [[United Arab Emirates]] in the FIA. In 2008, he was elected as a Vice President for sport and a member of the [[FIA World Motor Sport Council]]. He was key to organizing the first [[Abu Dhabi Grand Prix]] in 2009. In 2012, he was among the founding members and chairman of FIA sub-region of Arab Council of Touring and Automobile Clubs. In December 2021, he was appointed as FIA President, succeeding [[Jean Todt]]. |
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==Early life and education== |
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As President of the [[Automobile & Touring Club of the United Arab Emirates]] since 2006, via which he is a patron of a wide range of charities and ambassador for road safety in the UAE; supports motor sport officials' and young drivers' education, training and research to promote motor sport safety; co- edited an academic book on sports management; supporter of classic vehicle movement and automotive heritage.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fia.com/file/166694/download/|title=FIAProfile|publisher=FIS.com|access-date=18 December 2021</ref> |
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Sulayem was born on 12 November 1961 in [[Dubai]], [[Trucial States]] (now [[United Arab Emirates]]). He studied business at the [[American University]] in [[Washington, D.C.]], and at the [[University of Ulster]] where he graduated with a [[bachelor's degree]].<ref name="FIA">{{Cite report|date=17 December 2021|title=Mohammed Ben Sulayem, profile|url=https://www.fia.com/profile/mohammed-ben-sulayem |access-date=6 November 2023|publisher=[[Federation Internationale de l'Automobile]]|language=en}}</ref> |
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==Personal life== |
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In June 2013, he was appointed as chairman of the new Motor Sport Development Task Force set up by the FIA to build a ten-year plan for the sport's global development. |
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Sulayem is a prominent car collector and owns multiple [[supercar]]s including [[Koenigsegg Agera]], [[Mercedes-Benz]], [[Ferrari]], [[Porsche]], [[McLaren]], [[Bugatti]], [[Jaguar]], [[Lexus]], [[Ford GT]], [[Lamborghini]] and [[Rolls-Royce Motor Cars| Rolls-Royce]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=ECR Collection - The Mohammed Ben Sulayem Collection|url=https://exclusivecarregistry.com/collection/themohammedbensulayemcollection|access-date=29 July 2022|website=Exclusive Car Registry|language=en}}</ref> |
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In July 2012, he was awarded the [[honorary degree]] of Doctor of Science from the University of Ulster in recognition of his services to sport, civic leadership and charity.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Ulster Honours Gulf Rally Driver|url=https://www.ulster.ac.uk/news/2012/july/ulster-honours-gulf-rally-driver|access-date=4 May 2021|publisher=Ulster|date=7 November 2016|language=en}}</ref> |
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==Education== |
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Sulayem studied at the [[American University]] in [[Washington D.C.]], and at the [[University of Ulster]] in the UK where he majored in business.{{cn|date=December 2021}} |
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On 7 March 2023, Ben Sulayem's son, Saif Ben Sulayem, died in a road accident in Dubai.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Saif Ben Sulayem: FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem's son killed in car crash in Dubai|url=https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/12828692/saif-ben-sulayem-fia-president-mohammed-ben-sulayems-son-killed-in-car-crash-in-dubai|date=9 March 2023|access-date=10 March 2023|newspaper=Sky Sports|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=FIA president Ben Sulayem's son loses life in road crash|url=https://www.motorsport.com/general/news/fia-president-ben-sulayems-son-loses-life-in-road-crash/10441692/|access-date=10 March 2023|publisher=Motorsport.com|date=9 March 2023 |language=en}}</ref> |
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In July 2012, Sulayem was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Science from the University of Ulster, in recognition of his services to sport, civic leadership and charity.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ulster Honours Gulf Rally Driver|url=https://www.ulster.ac.uk/news/2012/july/ulster-honours-gulf-rally-driver|access-date=4 May 2021|website=www.ulster.ac.uk|language=en}}</ref> |
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== |
==Racing career== |
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Ben Sulayem competed in the [[Middle East Rally Championship]] driving for [[Toyota]] and [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]. He won his first title in 1986 with a [[Toyota Celica]] and went on to win six consecutive titles till 1991.<ref name="MERC"/> In 1994, He won his seventh title with a [[Ford Escort RS Cosworth]]. From 1996 to 2002, Ben Sulayem won a further seven titles with [[Ford Focus RS WRC|Ford]], making the most successful driver in the championship with over 60 wins and 14 titles (both the records have since been broken by [[Nasser Al-Attiyah]]).<ref name="MERC">{{Cite web|url=http://motorsportwinners.com/current/middle-east-rally-championship/|title=Middle East Rally Championship winners|publisher=Motorsport Winners|access-date=1 November 2023}}</ref> |
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{{no references|section|date=December 2021}} |
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After entering rallying in [[Dubai]] in the early 1980s, Sulayem quickly progressed from local events into the FIA Middle East Rally Championship, which was established in 1984, and two years later he won the first of his 14 regional titles. |
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==Administrative career== |
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From that point on he dominated the Middle East Championship up to his retirement from competitive rallying in 2002, clinching the title in each of the 13 other seasons in which he contested the regional series. |
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In 2005, he became the President of the [[Automobile & Touring Club of the United Arab Emirates|Emirates Motorsports Organization]], the representative of the [[United Arab Emirates|UAE]] in FIA.<ref name="FIAP">{{Cite report|date=17 December 2021|title=Mohammed Ben Sulayem, profile|url=https://www.fia.com/file/166694/download/|access-date=6 November 2023|publisher=[[Federation Internationale de l'Automobile]]|language=en}}</ref> In 2008, he was elected as a Vice President for sport and a member of the [[FIA World Motor Sport Council]], and he was key to organizing the first [[Abu Dhabi Grand Prix]] in 2009.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Cooper|first=Sam|date=24 January 2023|title=Who is the FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem and where does he come from? |url=https://www.planetf1.com/news/who-is-mohammed-ben-sulayem-fia-president|access-date=20 October 2023|publisher=PlanetF1|language=en}}</ref> In 2012, he was among the founding members and chairman of FIA sub-region of Arab Council of Touring and Automobile Clubs.<ref name="FIAP"/> |
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In June 2013, he was appointed as the chairman of the new Motor Sport Development Task Force set up by the FIA to build a ten-year plan for the sport's global development.<ref>{{Cite news|url= https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2021/12/17/mohammed-ben-sulayem/|title=Who is new FIA President Mohammed ben Sulayem – was he a former driver?|date= 17 December 2021|publisher=HITC|access-date=18 December 2021}}</ref> In December 2021, he was appointed as the FIA President succeeding [[Jean Todt]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.fia.com/news/mohammed-ben-sulayem-elected-fia-president|title=Mohammed Ben Sulayem elected FIA President|date=17 December 2021|publisher=FIA|access-date=19 December 2021}}</ref> |
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With 61 international victories in the [[Middle East]] overall, he has won more FIA rallies, and more FIA championships, than any other driver. |
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==Honors== |
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Sulayem's international reputation was widened by regular overseas excursions, including several with the official Toyota works team in the [[FIA]] [[World Rally Championship]]. His 1991 victory in [[Turkey]]’s [[Bosphorus Rally]] was the first by an Arab driver in an international Rally outside the Middle East. |
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*14 X [[Middle East Rally Championship]] (1986-91, 1994, 1996-2002) |
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===Individual=== |
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Over the next two years he contested the [[Group N]] World Rally Championship, recording production class victories in [[Spain]] and [[Argentina]]. |
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Individual honors won include:<ref name="FIAP"/> |
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*Medal of Honour, [[King of Jordan|King]] [[Hussein of Jordan]] (1986) |
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*President’s Cup, [[President of Lebanon|President]] [[Amine Gemayel]] of [[Lebanon]] (1987) |
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*Medal of Honour, [[President of Lebanon|President]] [[Emile Lahoud]] of [[Lebanon]] (1999) |
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*Medal of Honour, [[King of Jordan|King]] [[Abdullah II of Jordan|Abdullah of Jordan]] (1999) |
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*Medal of Honour, [[King of Bahrain|King]] [[Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa]] of [[Bahrain]] (2004) |
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*UAE Sportsman of the Century, [[Agence France-Presse]] (AFP) |
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==Controversies== |
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==Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge== |
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In 2009, during a promotional event for [[Renault in Formula One|Renault F1 team]] in Dubai, Ben Sulayem crashed a [[Renault R28]] Formula One car in a race against a [[Ford GT]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/other-sport/rally-champion-wonders-what-went-wrong-in-f1-crash-1.548024|title=Rally champion wonders what went wrong in F1 crash|publisher=National News|access-date=1 November 2023}}</ref> |
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{{no references|section|date=December 2021}} |
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In 1991, Sulayem founded the UAE Desert Challenge, and over the next few years he developed the event into one of the world's most spectacular and demanding international cross country rallies for cars and trucks, as well as bikes and quads. |
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In 2022, Ben Sulayem, as FIA President, oversaw the investigation into the controversial ending of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The race ended with a last lap shootout when the Race Director (Michael Masi) brought in the safety car on the same lap as allowing lapped cars to unlap themselves. This breaches F1 regulations, which require the safety car to stay out for an additional lap after unlapping lapped cars. Had the regulations been applied correctly, the race would have ended under safety car conditions with no overtaking allowed on the final lap. The investigation concluded that whilst the safety car did not stay out for the additional lap, "as required by article 48.12", the result was legitimised because, as Mercedes AMG did not appeal, there was "no available mechanism to change the classification".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fia.com/news/fia-announces-world-motor-sport-council-decisions-25|title=FIA Announces World Motor Sport Council Decisions|publisher=FIA|access-date=19 March 2022}}</ref> The investigation failed to report that the FIA President has the power under Judicial & Disciplinary article 9.1.1.d to refer the controversial ending to the FIA International Court of Appeal (ICA) for them to decide whether the result was legitimate. The ICA have the power to change race classifications should they deem that regulations were infringed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fia.com/rules-practice-directions|title=FIA Judicial and Disciplinary rules|publisher=FIA|access-date=19 March 2022}}</ref> This option is available until March 2027, 5 years after the report was published, in accordance with the statute of limitation defined in the F1 Sporting Regulations. |
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In 1993, Sulayem succeeded in taking the event into the FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies.{{fact|date=August 2020}} |
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Ben Sulayem allegedly told FIA officials to declare the Las Vegas circuit unsafe for racing and not certify the [[Las Vegas Grand Prix]] circuit for its 2023 race.<ref name="Andrew Benson">{{cite news |last1=Benson |first1=Andrew |title=Mohammed Ben Sulayem: FIA president allegedly told officials not to certify Las Vegas GP |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/68478049 |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |date=5 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Sarkozi |first1=Kada |title='Ben Sulayem attempted to cancel Las Vegas GP last year' |url=https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/263097/fia-president-ben-sulayem-also-accused-of-wanting-to-cancel-las-vegas.html |publisher=GPblog}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=McDonagh |first1=Connor |title=FIA’s Mohammed Ben Sulayem under more scrutiny as Las Vegas GP allegations emerge |url=https://www.crash.net/f1/news/1045039/1/fias-mohammed-ben-sulayem-under-more-scrutiny-las-vegas-gp-allegations-emerge |publisher=Crash |date=5 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=BHAGI |first1=PRANAY |title=Mohammed Ben Sulayem Attempted to Cancel $1.2 BN Worth Las Vegas GP for Mysterious Reasons |url=https://www.essentiallysports.com/f1-news-mohammed-ben-sulayem-attempted-to-cancel-worth-las-vegas-gp-for-mysterious-reasons/ |publisher=Essentially Sports |date=5 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Gale |first1=Ewan |title=FIA president facing fresh whistleblower allegations - report |url=https://racingnews365.com/fia-president-facing-fresh-whistleblower-allegations-report |publisher=Racing News |date=5 March 2024}}</ref> |
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Two years later, the Desert Challenge doubled up for the first time as a round of the FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship, and continues to attract the world's top bike and quad riders to the dramatic desert terrain of the UAE. |
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Ben Sulayem is also under investigation for allegedly attempting to intervene in the results of the 2023 [[Saudi Arabian Grand Prix]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Golding |first1=Nick |last2= Parkes |first2=Ian |title=FIA President under investigation for alleged race interference |url=https://racingnews365.com/fia-president-under-investigation-for-alleged-race-interference |website=Racing News |date=5 March 2024}}</ref> On 5 March 2024 the FIA confirmed its [[compliance officer]] has received two whistleblower complaints.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fryer |first1=Jenna |title=FIA confirms whistleblower complaints against president regarding Saudi Arabia and Las Vegas races |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2024/mar/05/fia-confirms-whistleblower-complaints-against-pres/ |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=March 5, 2024}}</ref> |
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In January 2023, [[The Times]] newspaper resurfaced comments Ben Sulayem made on his now archived website in 2001. The newspaper quoted Sulayem as saying he did not like "women who think they are smarter than men, for they are not in truth". The veracity of the quotes was not refuted by Sulayem, but the FIA defended him saying "the remarks in this archived website from 2001 do not reflect the president's beliefs".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/fia-defends-ben-sulayem-after-reported-sexist-comments-2023-01-28/|title=FIA defends Ben Sulayem after reported sexist comments|author=Alan Baldwin|date=28 January 2023|publisher=Reuters|access-date=30 January 2023 }}</ref> |
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The event entered a new era in March 2009 when it was renamed the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, and is staged in its entirety in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, taking competitors on a testing adventure through the spectacular desert terrain of the Western Region of Al Garbia. |
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Reaching deep into the Liwa desert, the route crosses some of the most demanding landscapes on earth, testing drivers, riders, and machinery to the limit in the crossing of towering dunes and desert plains. |
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==FIA role== |
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In 2021, Sulayem was appointed the president of the FIA. <ref>https://www.fia.com/news/mohammed-ben-sulayem-elected-fia-president</ref> |
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In 2008, Sulayem was appointed Vice President of the FIA and a member of the World Motor Sport Council. |
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The FIA is the global sporting authority for motorsport and represents 100 million car owners in almost 200 countries. The World Motor Sport Council meets at least four times a year to decide on rules, regulations, safety and development of motor sport at every level, from karting to Formula One. |
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Headed by the FIA President, its membership is chosen by the FIA General Assembly, which contains representatives from national automobile clubs throughout the world. |
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In his FIA role, Sulayem has pioneered teaching, research and knowledge transfer initiatives in the UAE and elsewhere throughout the world.{{fact|date=August 2020}} |
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In June 2013 he was named as chairman of the FIA's Motor Sport Development Task Force, with the responsibility to devise a strategic plan to develop and grow motorsport in a sustainable manner over the next ten years. It will be the first such plan in the 109-year history of the FIA, and Sulayem immediately started a consultation process with motor sport stakeholders, including manufacturers, the media, promoters, fans and FIA member clubs around the world. He will brief the World Motorsport Council on progress at its September meeting in Croatia, when the other members of the task force will be nominated. He will present the ten-year plan to the FIA General Assembly for approval at the end of 2014. |
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Sulayem is a founding member of the Arab Council of Touring and Automobile Clubs, which aims to unite the FIA Clubs of Arabic-speaking territories. |
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==FIA Middle East Rally Championship== |
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{{no references|section|date=December 2021}} |
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Sulayem's success as a record-breaking driver in the FIA Middle East Rally Championship helped attract worldwide attention for the regional series, and brought greater international credibility for Middle East motor sport. |
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When the championship's popularity faded in recent years, he responded by tasking an ATCUAE research team to develop a new strategic approach to breathe life back into the series. |
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In December 2012, the World Motorsport Council approved Sulayem's plans to boost the championship by incorporating four additional title races to attract young driving talent and increase entries overall. |
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As a result, the 2013 FIA Middle East Championship got under way in Qatar in January with a new look, the main drivers’ championship running alongside individual categories for Group N production cars, young drivers, and 2WD vehicles, as well as a T3 class for 2WD and 4WD buggies. |
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In another move instigated by Sulayem to reverse the trend of falling entries in recent years, the homologation period of some older rally cars was extended, giving a new lease of life to vehicles - and their drivers - which fell out of the series but can now continue until 2016. |
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At his instigation, the championship also featured a sophisticated new tracking system designed to eliminate route deviations. |
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Tested successfully during the 2012 Dubai International Rally, the new upgraded system was developed to ensure a fairer level of competition, with realistic penalties replacing the harsher ones of recent years to allow those who stray off line to remain in contention. |
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==Rallying achievements== |
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Sulayem was FIA Middle East rally champion 14 times in the years 1986-1991, 1994, and 1996-2002. |
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His record of individual rally victories is as follows: |
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'''[[FIA]] [[Middle East Rally]] Championship''' |
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*Dubai International Rally (15): 1985-88, 1991–95, 1997-2002 |
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*Jordan International Rally (12): 1984, 1987–88, 1990, 1994, 1996-2002 |
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*Qatar International Rally (9): 1988, 1990–91, 1996–98, 2000, 2001, 2002 |
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*Oman International Rally (6): 1986-87, 1990–91, 1994, 1998 |
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*UAE International Rally (5): 1996-99, 2001 |
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*Rally of Lebanon (4): 1987, 1991, 1998–99 |
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*Kuwait International Rally (4): 1985, 1988–89, 1996 |
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*Bahrain International Rally (3): 2000, 2001, 2002 |
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*Syrian International Rally (2): 2001, 2002 |
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'''Other international rally wins''' |
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*Masafi 4WD Rally - UAE 1985 |
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*Jebel Akhbar International Rally – Oman 1986 |
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*Bosphorus Rally – Turkey 1991 |
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*WRC Catalunya Rally – Group N 1992 |
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*WRC Argentine Rally – Group N 1993 |
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*Saudi Rally – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 2000 |
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'''Other awards''' |
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*1986 Medal of Honour from King Hussein of Jordan |
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*1987 President's Cup from President Amine Gemayel of Lebanon |
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*1999 Medal of Honour from King Abdullah of Jordan |
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Medal of Honour from Lebanese President Emile Lahoud |
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UAE Sportsman of the Century from Agence France-Press (AFP) |
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*2004 Medal of Honour from King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa of Bahrain |
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== In Media == |
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Sulayem's name appears as [[Non-player character|NPC]] competitors name in several [[computer games]] regarding car racing such as ''[[Colin McRae: Dirt 2]]'' and ''[[Dirt 3]]''. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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{{Commons category|Mohammed |
{{Commons category|Mohammed bin Sulayem}} |
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*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060425052945/http://www.mohammedbensulayem.com/ Mohammed Ben Sulayem] |
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060425052945/http://www.mohammedbensulayem.com/ Mohammed Ben Sulayem] |
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*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060515115828/http://www.bspturbo.com/index.htm Ben Sulayem Performance] |
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060515115828/http://www.bspturbo.com/index.htm Ben Sulayem Performance] |
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*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090412134435/http://www.thenational.ae/article/20090409/NATIONAL/528266148/-1/ART] |
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*[http://www.jalopnik.com/cars/custom-carshot-rods/more-on-the-slrpowered-mercedes-slk-out-of-the-mouths-of-mechanics-122019.php Jalopnik ''More on the SLR-Powered Mercedes SLK: Out of the Mouths of Mechanics''] |
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*[http://www.atcuae.ae/ Automobile & Touring Club of the UAE] |
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{{s-start}} |
{{s-start}} |
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{{s-sports}} |
{{s-sports}} |
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{{succession box | before = [[Jean Todt]] | title = President of the [[Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile]] | years= 2021–present | after= Incumbent}} |
{{succession box | before = [[Jean Todt]] | title = President of the [[Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile]] | years= 2021–present | after= Incumbent}} |
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{{succession box | before = [[Saeed Al-Hajri (rally driver)|Saeed Al-Hajri]] | title = [[Middle East Rally Championship|Middle East Rally Champion]] | years = 1986–1991 | after = |
{{succession box | before = [[Saeed Al-Hajri (rally driver)|Saeed Al-Hajri]] | title = [[Middle East Rally Championship|Middle East Rally Champion]] | years = 1986–1991 | after = Mamdouh Khayat }} |
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{{succession box | before = |
{{succession box | before = Hamed Al-Thani | title = [[Middle East Rally Championship|Middle East Rally Champion]] | years = 1994 | after = [[Abdullah Bakhashab]]}} |
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{{succession box | before = [[Abdullah Bakhashab]] | title = [[Middle East Rally Championship|Middle East Rally Champion]] | years = 1996–2002 | after = [[Nasser Al-Attiyah]]}} |
{{succession box | before = [[Abdullah Bakhashab]] | title = [[Middle East Rally Championship|Middle East Rally Champion]] | years = 1996–2002 | after = [[Nasser Al-Attiyah]]}} |
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{{s-end}} |
{{s-end}} |
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{{FIA}} |
{{FIA}}{{Authority control}} |
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{{Authority control}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Sulayem, Mohammed Ben}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sulayem, Mohammed Ben}} |
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[[Category:Emirati rally drivers]] |
[[Category:Emirati rally drivers]] |
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[[Category:Sportspeople from Dubai]] |
[[Category:Sportspeople from Dubai]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Middle East Rally Championship]] |
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[[Category:Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile |
[[Category:Presidents of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile]] |
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Revision as of 21:50, 26 April 2024
Mohammed Ben Sulayem | |||||||||||
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| President of Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile | |||||||||||
| Assumed office 17 December 2021 | |||||||||||
| Preceded by | Jean Todt | ||||||||||
| Personal details | |||||||||||
| Born | 12 November 1961 Dubai, Trucial States (now United Arab Emirates) | ||||||||||
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Mohammed Ahmad Sultan Ben Sulayem (Arabic: محمد بن سليم; born 12 November 1961) is an Emirati former rally driver and current president of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the governing body of many auto racing events including Formula One.
He is a former rally driver, and one of the most successful Middle East Rally Championship drivers, winning 14 titles. In 2005, he became the President of the Emirates Motorsports Organization, the representative of the United Arab Emirates in the FIA. In 2008, he was elected as a Vice President for sport and a member of the FIA World Motor Sport Council. He was key to organizing the first Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2009. In 2012, he was among the founding members and chairman of FIA sub-region of Arab Council of Touring and Automobile Clubs. In December 2021, he was appointed as FIA President, succeeding Jean Todt.
Early life and education
Sulayem was born on 12 November 1961 in Dubai, Trucial States (now United Arab Emirates). He studied business at the American University in Washington, D.C., and at the University of Ulster where he graduated with a bachelor's degree.[1]
Personal life
Sulayem is a prominent car collector and owns multiple supercars including Koenigsegg Agera, Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari, Porsche, McLaren, Bugatti, Jaguar, Lexus, Ford GT, Lamborghini and Rolls-Royce.[2]
In July 2012, he was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Science from the University of Ulster in recognition of his services to sport, civic leadership and charity.[3]
On 7 March 2023, Ben Sulayem's son, Saif Ben Sulayem, died in a road accident in Dubai.[4][5]
Racing career
Ben Sulayem competed in the Middle East Rally Championship driving for Toyota and Ford. He won his first title in 1986 with a Toyota Celica and went on to win six consecutive titles till 1991.[6] In 1994, He won his seventh title with a Ford Escort RS Cosworth. From 1996 to 2002, Ben Sulayem won a further seven titles with Ford, making the most successful driver in the championship with over 60 wins and 14 titles (both the records have since been broken by Nasser Al-Attiyah).[6]
Administrative career
In 2005, he became the President of the Emirates Motorsports Organization, the representative of the UAE in FIA.[7] In 2008, he was elected as a Vice President for sport and a member of the FIA World Motor Sport Council, and he was key to organizing the first Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2009.[8] In 2012, he was among the founding members and chairman of FIA sub-region of Arab Council of Touring and Automobile Clubs.[7]
In June 2013, he was appointed as the chairman of the new Motor Sport Development Task Force set up by the FIA to build a ten-year plan for the sport's global development.[9] In December 2021, he was appointed as the FIA President succeeding Jean Todt.[10]
Honors
- 14 X Middle East Rally Championship (1986-91, 1994, 1996-2002)
Individual
Individual honors won include:[7]
- Medal of Honour, King Hussein of Jordan (1986)
- President’s Cup, President Amine Gemayel of Lebanon (1987)
- Medal of Honour, President Emile Lahoud of Lebanon (1999)
- Medal of Honour, King Abdullah of Jordan (1999)
- Medal of Honour, King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa of Bahrain (2004)
- UAE Sportsman of the Century, Agence France-Presse (AFP)
Controversies
In 2009, during a promotional event for Renault F1 team in Dubai, Ben Sulayem crashed a Renault R28 Formula One car in a race against a Ford GT.[11]
In 2022, Ben Sulayem, as FIA President, oversaw the investigation into the controversial ending of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The race ended with a last lap shootout when the Race Director (Michael Masi) brought in the safety car on the same lap as allowing lapped cars to unlap themselves. This breaches F1 regulations, which require the safety car to stay out for an additional lap after unlapping lapped cars. Had the regulations been applied correctly, the race would have ended under safety car conditions with no overtaking allowed on the final lap. The investigation concluded that whilst the safety car did not stay out for the additional lap, "as required by article 48.12", the result was legitimised because, as Mercedes AMG did not appeal, there was "no available mechanism to change the classification".[12] The investigation failed to report that the FIA President has the power under Judicial & Disciplinary article 9.1.1.d to refer the controversial ending to the FIA International Court of Appeal (ICA) for them to decide whether the result was legitimate. The ICA have the power to change race classifications should they deem that regulations were infringed.[13] This option is available until March 2027, 5 years after the report was published, in accordance with the statute of limitation defined in the F1 Sporting Regulations.
Ben Sulayem allegedly told FIA officials to declare the Las Vegas circuit unsafe for racing and not certify the Las Vegas Grand Prix circuit for its 2023 race.[14][15][16][17][18] Ben Sulayem is also under investigation for allegedly attempting to intervene in the results of the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.[19] On 5 March 2024 the FIA confirmed its compliance officer has received two whistleblower complaints.[20]
In January 2023, The Times newspaper resurfaced comments Ben Sulayem made on his now archived website in 2001. The newspaper quoted Sulayem as saying he did not like "women who think they are smarter than men, for they are not in truth". The veracity of the quotes was not refuted by Sulayem, but the FIA defended him saying "the remarks in this archived website from 2001 do not reflect the president's beliefs".[21]
References
- ^ Mohammed Ben Sulayem, profile (Report). Federation Internationale de l'Automobile. 17 December 2021. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
- ^ "ECR Collection - The Mohammed Ben Sulayem Collection". Exclusive Car Registry. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
- ^ "Ulster Honours Gulf Rally Driver". Ulster. 7 November 2016. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
- ^ "Saif Ben Sulayem: FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem's son killed in car crash in Dubai". Sky Sports. 9 March 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
- ^ "FIA president Ben Sulayem's son loses life in road crash". Motorsport.com. 9 March 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
- ^ a b "Middle East Rally Championship winners". Motorsport Winners. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
- ^ a b c Mohammed Ben Sulayem, profile (Report). Federation Internationale de l'Automobile. 17 December 2021. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
- ^ Cooper, Sam (24 January 2023). "Who is the FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem and where does he come from?". PlanetF1. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
- ^ "Who is new FIA President Mohammed ben Sulayem – was he a former driver?". HITC. 17 December 2021. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
- ^ "Mohammed Ben Sulayem elected FIA President". FIA. 17 December 2021. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
- ^ "Rally champion wonders what went wrong in F1 crash". National News. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
- ^ "FIA Announces World Motor Sport Council Decisions". FIA. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
- ^ "FIA Judicial and Disciplinary rules". FIA. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
- ^ Benson, Andrew (5 March 2024). "Mohammed Ben Sulayem: FIA president allegedly told officials not to certify Las Vegas GP". BBC Sport. BBC.
- ^ Sarkozi, Kada. "'Ben Sulayem attempted to cancel Las Vegas GP last year'". GPblog.
- ^ McDonagh, Connor (5 March 2024). "FIA's Mohammed Ben Sulayem under more scrutiny as Las Vegas GP allegations emerge". Crash.
- ^ BHAGI, PRANAY (5 March 2024). "Mohammed Ben Sulayem Attempted to Cancel $1.2 BN Worth Las Vegas GP for Mysterious Reasons". Essentially Sports.
- ^ Gale, Ewan (5 March 2024). "FIA president facing fresh whistleblower allegations - report". Racing News.
- ^ Golding, Nick; Parkes, Ian (5 March 2024). "FIA President under investigation for alleged race interference". Racing News.
- ^ Fryer, Jenna (5 March 2024). "FIA confirms whistleblower complaints against president regarding Saudi Arabia and Las Vegas races". Las Vegas Sun.
- ^ Alan Baldwin (28 January 2023). "FIA defends Ben Sulayem after reported sexist comments". Reuters. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mohammed bin Sulayem.
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