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{{short description|Emirati rally driver and president of FIA (born 1961)}}
{{short description|Emirati rally driver and president of FIA (born 1961)}}
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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 the 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 motorsport. 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 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. In December 2021, he was appointed as the FIA President.

==Education==
⚫
Sulayem 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>{{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>

⚫
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 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>


He was a former rally driver and is one of the most successful [[Middle East Rally Championship|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 FIA in [[United Arab Emirates|UAE]]. In 2008, he has was elected as a Vice President for sport and member of the [[FIA World Motor Sport Council]] and was key to organizing the first [[Abu Dhabi Grand Prix]] in 2009. In 2012, he was amongst the founding members and chairman of FIA sub-region of Arab Council of Touring and Automobile Clubs. In December 2021, he was appointed as the FIA President succeeding [[Jean Todt]].
==FIA role==


==Early and personal life==
In 2008, Sulayem was appointed the Vice-President of the FIA and a member of the World Motor Sport Council.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cooper |first=Sam |date=2023-01-24 |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=2023-10-20 |website=PlanetF1 |language=en}}</ref>
⚫
Sulayem was born on 12 November 1961 [[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>


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


⚫
On 7 March 2023, Ben Sulayem's son, Saif Ben Sulayem, was killed 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>
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}}


==Racing career==
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.
Ben Sulayem competed in the [[Middle East Rally Championship]] driving for [[Toyota]] and [[Ford]]. He won his first tile 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 tile 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==
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 2005, he became the President of the [[Automobile & Touring Club of the United Arab Emirates|Emirates Motorsports Organization]], the representative of FIA in [[United Arab Emirates|UAE]].<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 has was elected as a Vice President for sport and member of the [[FIA World Motor Sport Council]] and 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 amongst the founding members and chairman of FIA sub-region of Arab Council of Touring and Automobile Clubs.<ref name="FIAP"/>


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>
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>


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


== Personal life ==
===Individual===
Individual honors won include:<ref name="FIAP"/>
⚫
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 |date=9 March 2023 |language=en}}</ref>
*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 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==
== Car collection ==
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>
⚫
Sulayem is a prominent car collector in the UAE, known for his extravagant taste in [[Supercar|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>


⚫
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>
* [[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]]
* [[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]]
* Bugatti Chiron Supersport
* [[Jaguar XJ220]]
* [[Lexus LFA]]
* 2005 [[Ford GT]]
* 2017 Ford GT
* [[Lamborghini Sián FKP 37]]
* [[Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4]]
* Multiple [[Rolls-Royce Motor Cars]], including [[Rolls-Royce Phantom (eighth generation)|Phantom]] and [[Rolls-Royce Cullinan|Cullinan]].


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 05:31, 30 November 2023

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 was a former rally driver and is 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 FIA in UAE. In 2008, he has was elected as a Vice President for sport and member of the FIA World Motor Sport Council and was key to organizing the first Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2009. In 2012, he was amongst the founding members and chairman of FIA sub-region of Arab Council of Touring and Automobile Clubs. In December 2021, he was appointed as the FIA President succeeding Jean Todt.

Early and personal life

Sulayem was born on 12 November 1961 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]

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 Motor Cars.[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, was killed 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 tile in 1986 with a Toyota Celica and went on to win six consecutive titles till 1991.[6] In 1994, He won his seventh tile 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 FIA in UAE.[7] In 2008, he has was elected as a Vice President for sport and member of the FIA World Motor Sport Council and was key to organizing the first Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2009.[8] In 2012, he was amongst 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

Individual

Individual honors won include:[7]

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 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".[12]

References

  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. ^ 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.
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
Preceded by Middle East Rally Champion
1994 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Middle East Rally Champion
1996–2002 		Succeeded by
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