Sep.3 (GMM) The following FIA president may very well be backed by a member of the Dutch royal household.
Prince Bernhard van Oranje-Nassau, cousin of King Willem-Alexander and co-owner of Zandvoort, has been approached to change into a strategic advisor to Tim Mayer – the American official getting ready to problem incumbent Mohammed Ben Sulayem in December’s election.
Mayer, a former FIA steward who left the governing physique after clashing with Ben Sulayem, confirmed the strategy in an interview with De Telegraaf.
“Bernhard has confirmed himself, and I feel he possesses the crucial qualities which are essential for the way forward for motorsport. And never simply motorsport, but in addition world mobility. As a result of the FIA goes far past simply sport,” Mayer mentioned.
“Furthermore, the Zandvoort GP has been an unimaginable instance for everybody and every little thing in relation to sustainability. Bernhard has achieved an amazing deal as an entrepreneur and is ready to join individuals.
“That’s extremely essential for the FIA – that as a federation you preserve a great relationship with all of your stakeholders.”
Van Oranje, 55, has been energetic in motorsport for many years – from racing in Dutch GT occasions to co-owning Zandvoort since 2016. He was instrumental in bringing System 1 again to the Netherlands in 2021, although the occasion will once more disappear after 2026 for monetary causes.
Mayer insists his marketing campaign represents a break from Ben Sulayem’s turbulent reign. “We have to reduce prices considerably. It already prices 600,000 euros to run a season in System 4. That’s clearly ridiculous,” he argued.
“Additionally, many issues are far too complicated, and we have to enhance {our relationships} with all of the mobility golf equipment worldwide. Briefly, it’s time for a cultural shift,” he mentioned.
“The FIA is supposed to be a service, not an organisation that imposes its will on others. That’s why we welcome the recommendation of somebody like Bernhard, as a result of he’s somebody who has demonstrated the power to construct relationships and has glorious concepts for the way forward for a clear FIA.”
