Sacked F1 race steward Mayer takes aim at FIA president

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Picture by: Mark Sutton

“Technically, unhealthy language is outlawed, so it isn’t unfair. Whether or not it is smart we ought to be chasing drivers for relatively delicate swearing is one other matter.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Picture by: Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Photos

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

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

Sacked by textual content message

Mayer, who labored for the organisation for 15 years, stated he realized of his sacking through textual content message from certainly one of Ben Sulayem’s assistants on Tuesday.

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

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

Mayer oversaw the best of evaluate for the organisers of the USA Grand Prix after they have been fined €500,000, with €350,000 suspended, following spectators working on the monitor after the race in October.

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

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

Picture by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Photos

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

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

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

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

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

FIA departures mounting up

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

Mayer and Tan’s departures add to a listing of exits from F1’s governing physique.

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

Niels Wittich, Race Director, FIA

Picture by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Photos

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

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

Mayer stated: “She [Tan] is the epitome of the kind of particular person we wish working for the FIA, the perfect of the following technology of race administrators. I do not know the circumstances, however one would assume they might work very arduous to maintain somebody of her character.

“I understand how arduous each of these jobs are. I like Rui loads, however it should put him underneath unimaginable stress.

“There aren’t plenty of ‘platinum-level’ FIA race administrators, which is the FIA’s highest stage certification. I am certainly one of them. It is plenty of work and, if you’re doing the job proper, you get up daily with an ulcer pondering of all the varied issues you could be excited about.

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

Motorsport.com has contacted the FIA for remark.