36 automobile clubs come out in support of FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem

Carlos Sainz Sr’s hopes of ousting current FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem have taken an early blow after a hefty number of automobile clubs signed a letter throwing their weight behind the incumbent.

While there had been plenty of suggestion Ben Sulayem would run uncontested in the presidential election later this year, Motorsport.com broke the news that two-time world rally champion and four-time Dakar Rally winner Sainz was considering a challenge.

Ben Sulayem’s reign has not been without controversy, including overseeing a string of key figures leaving the governing body, barring FIA members from meetings and upsetting drivers by banning swearing.

Now, however, the 63-year-old Emirati has received widespread support from 36 FIA clubs largely based in the Americas, plus the FIA vice president for Sport – South America Fabiana Ecclestone.

“Dear President Mohammed, on behalf of the member clubs listed below, we write to express our sincere gratitude for your service, commitment, vision, and, above all, the delivery of your Manifesto promised to us, the members,” the letter reads.

“We are all acutely aware of the catastrophic financial situation you inherited. Without the decisive and bold actions you took from day one, the very future of the FIA would have been at risk. The turnaround achieved in less than four years is nothing short of extraordinary, especially when coupled with the implementation of professional management systems that you deployed in parallel.

Bernie Ecclestone, and Fabiana Ecclestone

Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images

“As club Presidents, we have personally felt and experienced the daily focus you and your leadership team have placed on supporting and engaging with us — the members — treating each of us with equal respect. This inclusive approach is deeply appreciated.

“We also recognize and commend the significant efforts made by you and your team to reposition the FIA as a global leader in both mobility and motorsport. The strength and reputation of the FIA brand have clearly grown as a result of your leadership.

“That said, we understand that four years is a short time to complete the ambitious reforms you have initiated. Therefore, we strongly encourage you to seek re-election at the upcoming AGA, so that you may continue the important work you have started, with our full support, with deep appreciation and optimism for the future, Hermanos.”

Standout names on the list include Fabiana Ecclestone, wife of Bernie Ecclestone and the FIA vice president for sport and Carmelo Sanz de Barros, who despite being president of the Spanish motorsport federation, is also the FIA president of the senate.

Who signed the letter?

Ricardo Morales Rubio – President of Colombia motorsport federation and FIA Region IV (South America and Central America) President
Frank Fotia – COO of Canadian Automobile Association and FIA Region III (North America and the Caribbean)
Fabiana Ecclestone – FIA vice president for Sport – South America
Daniel Coen – President of Costa Rica motorsport federation
Carmelo Sanz de Barros – Spanish motorsport federation president and FIA President of the Senate
Gorki Obando – Ecuador FIA nominee
Tim Shearman – FIA Deputy President for Automobile Mobility and Tourism and President of Canadian Automobile Association
Ivan Dibos – Touring and Automobile Club of Peru President
Pedro Cofino – President of the Guatemala motorsport federation
Jorge Abed – President of the Mexican motorsport federation
Selwyn Persad – Board Member of the Trinidad & Tobago Automobile Association
Dante Pescetto – President of the Panama motorsport federation
Stephen Gunter – Chairman of the Jamaican motorsport federation
Hugo Mersan – President of the Paraguay motorsport federation
Alvaro Oliver – President of the Dominican Republic motorsport federation
David McLaughlin – President of the Bahamas motorsport federation
Giovanni Ramos Guerra – President of the Brazilian motorsport confederation
Jorge Tomasi – President of the Uruguayan motorsport federation
Alejandro Quintana – President of the Chilean motorsport federation
Gaston Montellano – President of the Bolivian motorsport federation
Sebastian Pastor – President of the Honduras motorsport federation
Luis Burgos – President of the Puerto Rican motorsport federation
Cesar Carman – President of the Argentinean motorsport federation
Joaquim Melo – President of the Brazilian Automobile Club
Hugo Barrera – President of Automovil Club de El Salvador
Luanda Karla Dantas Guerra – Minister for Sport at the Brazilian motorsport confederation
Enzo Spano – Venezuela federation president
Alvaro Lacayo – Nicaragua federation president
Carlo Falcone – President of Antigua Pro Racing
Ronald Craan – President of Auto Sport D’Haiti
Mauricio Melo Avaria – President of Fadech (Chile)
Victor Murga – President of Belize Automobile Club
Eric Dobarganes – Cuba federation president
Mahendra Bodhoo – President of Guyana Motor Racing
Adriano Abreu – President of FDA (Dominican Republic)
Aston Eligon – TTASA (Trinidad and Tobago), president
Jane Scaletta – President of Cayman Motor Federation