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{{short description|Emirati former rally driver and president of FIA (born 1961)}}
{{short description|Emirati rally driver and president of FIA (born 1961)}}
{{use dmy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{use dmy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{multiple issues|
{{condense|date=January 2015}}
{{peacock|date=January 2015}}
{{more footnotes|BLP=yes|date=July 2013}}
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{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Mohammed Ben Sulayem
| name = Mohammed Ben Sulayem
| image = Dr.Mohammed BinSulayem.jpg
| image = Dr.Mohammed BinSulayem.jpg
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| prev series years =
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| titles = 14 times FIA Middle East Rally Champion
| titles = 14 X [[Middle East Rally Championship]]
| title years =
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| awards =
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'''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 FIA ([[Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile]]).
'''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]].

He is one of the Arab world's leading motor sport figures. As President of the [[Automobile & Touring Club of the United Arab Emirates]] since 2006 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>

In 2008, he became the first Arab named as Vice President of the FIA, and the first to be elected to the [[FIA World Motor Sport Council]]. As the Vice-President he has pioneered teaching, research and knowledge transfer initiatives in motor sport. In 2009, during a promotional event for Renault's F1 team, Ben Sulayem crashed a Renault R28 Formula One car in a race against a Ford GT. He was a key person in the formation and running of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|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.com|access-date=18 December 2021}}</ref> 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. In December 2021, he was appointed the FIA President.


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]].
==Education==
⚫
Sulayem studied business at the [[American University]] in [[Washington D.C.]], and at the [[University of Ulster]] where he got a [[Bachelor's degree|bachelor]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-12-17 |title=Mohammed Ben Sulayem |url=https://www.fia.com/profile/mohammed-ben-sulayem |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=Federation Internationale de l'Automobile |language=en}}</ref>


==Early life and education==
⚫
In July 2012, 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|date=7 November 2016 |language=en}}</ref>
⚫
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>


⚫
==Personal life==
== Car collection ==
Sulayem is a prominent car collector in the UAE, known for his extravagant taste in hypercars. Sulayem's collection includes the following:<ref>{{Cite web |title=ECR - Collection - The Mohammed Ben Sulayem Collection |url=https://exclusivecarregistry.com/collection/themohammedbensulayemcollection |access-date=2022-07-29 |website=ECR - Collection - The Mohammed Ben Sulayem Collection |language=en}}</ref>
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>


⚫
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>
* [[Koenigsegg Agera|Koenigsegg Agera RS]] in blue carbon
* [[Koenigsegg Regera]] in burgundy carbon with gold wheels<ref>{{Cite web |title=ECR - Koenigsegg Regera details |url=https://exclusivecarregistry.com/details/koenigsegg/regera/21180 |access-date=2022-07-29 |website=ECR - Koenigsegg Regera details |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR]] Super Sport (1 of 5)
* Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster (chassis #6 of 6 built)
* [[Ferrari F40]]
* [[Ferrari F50]]
* [[Ferrari Enzo]]
* [[LaFerrari|Ferrari LaFerrari]]
* [[Porsche 911 GT1]] Straßenversion
* [[Porsche Carrera GT]]
* [[Porsche 918 Spyder]]
* [[McLaren P1]]
* [[McLaren Senna]]
* [[McLaren Speedtail]] (x2)
* [[Pagani Huayra|Pagani Huayra BC]]
* [[Bugatti EB 110]] SS
* [[Bugatti Veyron]] 16.4 Super Sport
* [[Bugatti Chiron]]
* [[Jaguar XJ220]]
* [[Lexus LFA]]
* 2005 [[Ford GT]]
* 2017 Ford GT
* Multiple [[Rolls-Royce Motor Cars]], including [[Rolls-Royce Phantom (eighth generation)|Phantom]] and [[Rolls-Royce Cullinan|Cullinan]].


⚫
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>
==FIA role==


==Racing career==
In 2008, Sulayem was appointed Vice President of the FIA and a member of the World Motor Sport Council.
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>


==Administrative career==
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.
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"/>


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>
Headed by the FIA President, its membership is chosen by the FIA General Assembly, which contains representatives from national automobile clubs throughout the world.


==Honors==
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}}
*14 X [[Middle East Rally Championship]] (1986-91, 1994, 1996-2002)


===Individual===
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.
Individual honors won include:<ref name="FIAP"/>
*Medal of Honour, [[King of Jordan|King]] [[Hussein of Jordan]] (1986)
*President’s Cup, [[President of Lebanon|President]] [[Amine Gemayel]] of [[Lebanon]] (1987)
*Medal of Honour, [[President of Lebanon|President]] [[Emile Lahoud]] of [[Lebanon]] (1999)
*Medal of Honour, [[King of Jordan|King]] [[Abdullah II of Jordan|Abdullah of Jordan]] (1999)
*Medal of Honour, [[King of Bahrain|King]] [[Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa]] of [[Bahrain]] (2004)
*UAE Sportsman of the Century, [[Agence France-Presse]] (AFP)


==Controversies==
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.
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>


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.
In December 2021, Sulayem was elected president of the FIA, succeeding [[Jean Todt]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fia.com/news/mohammed-ben-sulayem-elected-fia-president |title=Mohammed Ben Sulayem elected FIA President |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=17 December 2021 |website=FIA.com |publisher=FIA |access-date=19 December 2021 }}</ref>


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>
⚫
In January 2023, Sulayem was embroiled in a sexism scandal after [[The Times]] newspaper resurfaced comments he 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 web |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 |website=Reuters.com |publisher=Reuters |access-date=30 January 2023 }}</ref>
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>


⚫
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>
⚫
== Personal life ==
⚫
On 7 March 2023, Ben Sulayem's son, Saif Ben Sulayem, was killed in a road accident in Dubai.<ref>{{Cite web |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 |access-date=2023-03-10 |website=Sky Sports |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |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=2023-03-10 |website=www.motorsport.com |language=en}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category|Mohammed Bin Sulayem}}
{{Commons category|Mohammed bin Sulayem}}
*[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]
*[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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{{s-sports}}
{{s-sports}}
{{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}}
{{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]]}}
{{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 }}
{{succession box | before = [[Hamed Al-Thani]] | title = [[Middle East Rally Championship|Middle East Rally Champion]] | years = 1994 | after = [[Abdullah Bakhashab]]}}
{{succession box | before = Hamed Al-Thani | title = [[Middle East Rally Championship|Middle East Rally Champion]] | years = 1994 | after = [[Abdullah Bakhashab]]}}
{{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]]}}
{{s-end}}
{{s-end}}
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[[Category:Sportspeople from Dubai]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Dubai]]
[[Category:Middle East Rally Championship]]
[[Category:Middle East Rally Championship]]
[[Category:Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile presidents]]
[[Category:Presidents of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile]]

Latest revision as of 21:50, 26 April 2024

Mohammed Ben Sulayem
President of Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile
Assumed office
17 December 2021
Preceded byJean Todt
Personal details
Born (1961-11-12) 12 November 1961 (age 62)
Dubai, Trucial States (now United Arab Emirates)
Middle East Rally Championship
Years active1983–2002
TeamsFord, Toyota
Championship titles
14 X Middle East Rally Championship

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

Individual[edit]

Individual honors won include:[7]

Controversies[edit]

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[edit]

  1. ^ Mohammed Ben Sulayem, profile (Report). Federation Internationale de l'Automobile. 17 December 2021. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
  2. ^ "ECR Collection - The Mohammed Ben Sulayem Collection". Exclusive Car Registry. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
  3. ^ "Ulster Honours Gulf Rally Driver". Ulster. 7 November 2016. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  4. ^ "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.
  5. ^ "FIA president Ben Sulayem's son loses life in road crash". Motorsport.com. 9 March 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
  6. ^ a b "Middle East Rally Championship winners". Motorsport Winners. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  7. ^ a b c Mohammed Ben Sulayem, profile (Report). Federation Internationale de l'Automobile. 17 December 2021. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
  8. ^ Cooper, Sam (24 January 2023). "Who is the FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem and where does he come from?". PlanetF1. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  9. ^ "Who is new FIA President Mohammed ben Sulayem – was he a former driver?". HITC. 17 December 2021. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  10. ^ "Mohammed Ben Sulayem elected FIA President". FIA. 17 December 2021. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  11. ^ "Rally champion wonders what went wrong in F1 crash". National News. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  12. ^ "FIA Announces World Motor Sport Council Decisions". FIA. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
  13. ^ "FIA Judicial and Disciplinary rules". FIA. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
  14. ^ Benson, Andrew (5 March 2024). "Mohammed Ben Sulayem: FIA president allegedly told officials not to certify Las Vegas GP". BBC Sport. BBC.
  15. ^ Sarkozi, Kada. "'Ben Sulayem attempted to cancel Las Vegas GP last year'". GPblog.
  16. ^ McDonagh, Connor (5 March 2024). "FIA's Mohammed Ben Sulayem under more scrutiny as Las Vegas GP allegations emerge". Crash.
  17. ^ BHAGI, PRANAY (5 March 2024). "Mohammed Ben Sulayem Attempted to Cancel $1.2 BN Worth Las Vegas GP for Mysterious Reasons". Essentially Sports.
  18. ^ Gale, Ewan (5 March 2024). "FIA president facing fresh whistleblower allegations - report". Racing News.
  19. ^ Golding, Nick; Parkes, Ian (5 March 2024). "FIA President under investigation for alleged race interference". Racing News.
  20. ^ Fryer, Jenna (5 March 2024). "FIA confirms whistleblower complaints against president regarding Saudi Arabia and Las Vegas races". Las Vegas Sun.
  21. ^ Alan Baldwin (28 January 2023). "FIA defends Ben Sulayem after reported sexist comments". Reuters. Retrieved 30 January 2023.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mohammed bin Sulayem.
Sporting positions
Preceded by President of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile
2021–present 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
Preceded by Middle East Rally Champion
1986–1991 		Succeeded by
Mamdouh Khayat
Preceded by
Hamed Al-Thani
 Middle East Rally Champion
1994 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Middle East Rally Champion
1996–2002 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mohammed_Ben_Sulayem&oldid=1220943628"