Mohammed Ben Sulayem replaces Jean Todt at the head of the FIA

The day after the FIA ​​awards ceremony, the Annual General Assembly was held where the new President of the Federation was to be elected. To replace Jean Todt, whose third consecutive term was coming to an end, two candidates were in the running: Mohammed Ben Sulayem and Graham Stoker.

During the election held this Friday in Paris, Mohammed Ben Sulayem emerged victorious by an absolute majority against Graham Stoker (61,62% against 36,62% for 1,76% abstention). As a result, the native of Dubai is elected for the next four years, succeeding Jean Todt after twelve years at the head of the FIA. He is the first non-European to hold this position.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem elected FIA President https://t.co/l7mUwF8kD6

- FIA (@fia) December 17, 2021

From sportsman to politician

Before launching into sports politics, Mohammed Ben Sulayem made a career in motorsport, his great passion. Lover of rally, the 60-year-old has proven himself in the Middle East where he won the local event fourteen times between 1986 and 2002.

Retired from sport, Mohammed Ben Sulayem has not left the world of motorsport. After hanging up his suit in 2002, he decided to launch into sports politics. Without skipping any steps, the former pilot started in his region where he gradually climbed the ranks until reaching the head of the Sports Federation of his country, the United Arab Emirates, which he has retained until now.

In search of new experiences, Mohammed Ben Sulayem made a first attempt at the FIA ​​during the 2013 presidential elections before suddenly withdrawing. However, he remains within the International Automobile Federation since the winner Jean Todt included him in his electoral list as one of the seven vice-presidents in charge of sports, in his Middle East region in this case. A position he still held at that time.

« I am very happy to have been elected president of the FIA ​​at the end of the Annual General Assembly, declared the winner of the elections. I thank all the members for their esteem and trust. I congratulate Graham (Stoker) for his campaign and his commitment to the Federation. I would like to express my infinite gratitude on behalf of the FIA ​​and its members to Jean Todt for everything that has been accomplished over the last 12 years »

I am truly honored to be elected President of the @FiA. Thank you all so much. I am humbled by the trust you've placed in me and the team and we pledge to govern in the interests of all members. pic.twitter.com/9E7TiG0PyG

- Mohammed Ben Sulayem (@Ben_Sulayem) December 17, 2021