Mohammed Ahmad Sultan Ben Sulayem (born 12 November 1961) is an Emirati motorsport head and former championship rally driver who currently serves as President of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the international governing body responsible for Formula One and many of the world’s leading motorsport championships.
Before taking on one of motorsport’s most influential leadership positions, Ben Sulayem built an exceptional reputation behind the wheel. Dominating the Middle East Rally Championship throughout the 1980s and 1990s, he claimed an unprecedented 14 championship titles, establishing himself as one of the region’s greatest rally drivers.
| President of Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile | |
|---|---|
| Assumed office 17 December 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Jean Todt |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Mohammed Ahmad Sultan Ben Sulayem 12 November 1961 Dubai, Trucial States |
| Relations | Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem (brother) |
His move from competitor to administrator began in 2005 when he became President of the Emirates Motorsports Organisation, representing the United Arab Emirates within the FIA. Over the following years, his influence within global motorsport continued to grow. He was elected FIA Vice President for Sport and joined the FIA World Motor Sport Council in 2008, while also playing a leading role in bringing the inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to life in 2009. In 2012, he helped establish the FIA Arab Council of Touring and Automobile Clubs, serving as its founding chairman. He was elected FIA President in December 2021, succeeding Jean Todt.
As FIA President, Ben Sulayem has overseen significant structural changes to international motorsport governance, including reforms to Formula One race control following the controversial conclusion of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. His presidency has also attracted considerable public scrutiny, including investigations into whistleblower allegations, debate surrounding FIA governance, and criticism over disciplinary policies affecting drivers. Alongside these challenges, he has continued to champion sustainability initiatives within global motorsport.
In recognition of those efforts, Ben Sulayem was appointed UN Tourism’s Ambassador for Sustainable Tourism in Sport in September 2024.
Early life
Mohammed Ben Sulayem was born on 12 November 1961 in Dubai, then part of the Trucial States, now the United Arab Emirates. He later moved to the United States to study business at the American University in Washington, D.C., where he earned a bachelor’s degree before embarking on his motorsport career.
Racing career
Ben Sulayem became synonymous with rallying success across the Middle East during one of the sport’s most competitive eras. Competing for both Toyota and Ford, he captured his first Middle East Rally Championship in 1986 driving a Toyota Celica, beginning a remarkable run of six consecutive titles through to 1991.
After adding a seventh championship in 1994 with the Ford Escort RS Cosworth, he returned to dominate the series once again between 1996 and 2002, collecting another seven titles. By the end of his driving career, Ben Sulayem had amassed more than 60 rally victories and a record 14 Middle East Rally Championship crowns—a benchmark that would later be surpassed by Nasser Al-Attiyah.
His achievements helped elevate rallying throughout the Middle East and established him as one of the region’s most influential figures in motorsport history.
Administrative career
Following his retirement from competition, Ben Sulayem shifted his focus to developing motorsport at both regional and international levels.
In 2005, he became President of the Emirates Motorsports Organisation, serving as the UAE’s official representative within the FIA. Three years later, he was elected FIA Vice President for Sport and joined the FIA World Motor Sport Council, where he played a significant role in shaping international motorsport policy. During this period, he also played a central part in delivering the first Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2009.
His influence continued to expand in 2012 when he became one of the founding members and chairman of the FIA Arab Council of Touring and Automobile Clubs, an organisation established to strengthen cooperation and motorsport development across the Arab world.
In June 2013, the FIA appointed him to chair its newly formed Motor Sport Development Task Force, created to deliver a ten-year strategy for the worldwide growth of the sport.
His administrative career reached its highest office in December 2021 when he was elected President of the FIA, succeeding Jean Todt.
FIA Presidency
Ben Sulayem officially took office as FIA President in December 2021, assuming responsibility for overseeing the governing body of global motorsport during a period of significant change and heightened public attention.
In December 2025, he secured a second four-year term after standing unopposed. The election attracted attention because FIA presidential candidates were required to nominate vice-presidential candidates from every FIA region. With only one accredited South American vice-presidential nominee available—and that nominee supporting Ben Sulayem—no alternative presidential candidates were able to complete the eligibility requirements. The election process subsequently became the subject of legal proceedings, with an initial court hearing scheduled for February 2026.
Restructuring of race control
One of Ben Sulayem’s earliest priorities as FIA President was addressing confidence in Formula One race management following the controversial ending of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
In 2022, the FIA completed an investigation into the race, concluding that while procedural mistakes had occurred, there was no mechanism to alter the final championship result. Under FIA regulations, however, the President retains the authority to refer matters to the FIA International Court of Appeal.
As part of wider reforms, Ben Sulayem replaced Race Director Michael Masi with a new race control structure led by Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas. The changes formed part of broader efforts to modernise Formula One’s officiating systems and improve operational consistency.
Controversies
Whistleblower complaints
In March 2024, the FIA confirmed that its compliance office had received two whistleblower complaints involving Ben Sulayem.
One allegation claimed he had instructed FIA officials not to certify the Las Vegas Strip Circuit ahead of the inaugural 2023 Formula One race by declaring it unsafe. A separate allegation suggested he had attempted to influence the outcome of the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Both matters attracted international media attention and prompted investigations.
Driver conduct and swearing regulations
Driver discipline became another high-profile issue during Ben Sulayem’s presidency.
Following sanctions issued to Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc for swearing during official FIA press conferences in 2024, the Grand Prix Drivers Association publicly criticised the governing body through an open letter.
The debate intensified in 2025 after revisions to the FIA International Sporting Code introduced stricter penalties for misconduct, including language considered damaging to the FIA or its officials. Potential sanctions ranged from financial penalties to championship point deductions and race suspensions for repeated breaches.
The updated regulations also prompted criticism in the World Rally Championship, where drivers established the World Rally Drivers Alliance (WoRDA). The group protested after Adrien Fourmaux received a fine for swearing during a post-stage interview, with several drivers limiting or refusing interviews during Safari Rally Kenya.
Governance
Ben Sulayem’s leadership has also faced sustained scrutiny over governance and organisational transparency.
A number of senior FIA officials either resigned or left the organisation after raising concerns about decision-making processes and internal governance. Among the most widely reported cases were the departures of audit committee members, senior compliance officials, race director Niels Wittich, Formula 2 deputy race director Janette Tan and long-serving steward Tim Mayer.
In 2025, tensions increased after Motorsport UK chairman David Richards and FIA Deputy President for Sport Robert Reid were prevented from attending a World Motor Sport Council meeting after declining to sign a non-disclosure agreement. Reid later resigned, citing concerns over governance standards, while former FIA CEO Natalie Robyn also publicly referred to continuing structural challenges within the organisation.
Further debate emerged over proposed amendments to FIA statutes, which critics argued could make it more difficult for future presidential challengers to stand for election. Among the proposed changes were revised eligibility requirements, earlier nomination deadlines and expanded presidential authority over appointments to the FIA Senate.
In June 2025, FIA Head of Sustainability, Diversity and Inclusion Sara Mariani departed the organisation after being dismissed. Later that year, Ben Sulayem replaced the UK’s Senate representative, Ben Cussons, with Azerbaijan’s Anar Alakbarov following changes to Senate appointments.
The FIA also faced legal action after presidential candidate Laura Villars challenged the election process, alleging democratic shortcomings after all candidates except Ben Sulayem were declared ineligible. Former steward Tim Mayer publicly supported the legal challenge after ending his own campaign.
Personal life
Away from motorsport administration, Ben Sulayem is well known for his passion for performance cars. His collection reportedly includes models from Koenigsegg, Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari, Porsche, McLaren, Bugatti, Jaguar, Lexus, Ford, Lamborghini and Rolls-Royce.
In 2012, the University of Ulster awarded him an honorary Doctor of Science degree in recognition of his contribution to sport, civic leadership and charitable work.
Tragedy struck his family in March 2023 when his son, Saif Ben Sulayem, died in a road traffic accident in Dubai.
Public controversy
In January 2023, historical comments published on Ben Sulayem’s archived personal website from 2001 resurfaced in media reports. The comments, relating to women, generated widespread criticism. While Ben Sulayem did not dispute the authenticity of the archived remarks, the FIA stated that they did not reflect his current beliefs.
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