Mohammed Ben Sulayem

MOHAMMED BEN SULAYEM

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA Vice President for Sport, is a UAE national who studied Political Science at the American University in Washington, D.C. Born in Dubai on 12 November 1961, Sulayem has won more FIA regional championships, and more international rallies, than any other racer in history.
Sulayem is also President of the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE), the only officially nominated representative in the Emirates of the FIA, motor sport's world governing body which links 213 national motoring organizations from 125 countries, and its motor cycling, karting and classic car counterparts, the FIM, CIK and FIVA. He is also Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, formerly the UAE Desert Challenge which he launched in 1991.
On the competitive front, his premier event has been the FIA Middle East Rally Championship. Since first winning in 1986, he has gone on to win the event 14 times, never having been defeated. Most notably, he has also competed in European, African and World Championship events with good success. He has not driven competitively since the 2002 season.
One of the biggest challenges for Sulayem in 2009 is the final round of the Formula 1 season which will be held from 30 October-1 November at the Yas Marina Circuit. Given Sulayem’s extensive motor sport background and organizational skills, he has been appointed on the Advisory Board of the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Apart from having founded the Desert Challenge in 1991, Sulayem was on the advisory board when Bahrain was bidding to be the first Gulf country to host an F1 race and was also instrumental in playing a key role when Abu Dhabi made a successful pitch to host the final round scheduled for 1 November 2009. In recognition of his contribution to the sport and for serving as a role model for Arab youth, Sulayem was declared the UAE’s Sportsman of the Century by the respected international news agency, Agence France-Presse.
Sulayem has for over two decades also been at the forefront of promoting safe driving habits on the region’s roads, apart from ensuring that motor sport clubs without exception follow safety guidelines laid down by the FIA.
A philanthropist by nature, it came as no surprise when TAG Heuer added Sulayem to its sparkling array of brand ambassadors, he said the entire proceeds of the deal would go to an international charity organization, Save the Children.
His father Ahmed Sultan Ben Sulayem was the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, while brothers Sultan Ahmed Ben Sulayem and Khalid Ahmed Ben Sulayem hold high-profile positions as Chairman of Dubai World and member of Dubai Government’s Board of Executive Council, and Director General of Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing, respectively.

Recently tried a R26 F1 on Dubai Circuit, he crashed after 100 meters.

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