The FIA Presidential Elections 2025: Muhammad Ben Salem’s Controversial Reign and Toto Wolff’s Unexpected Backing

As the FIA presidential elections approach later this year, the spotlight is firmly on current FIA President Muhammad Ben Salem. His tenure, marked by fierce controversy and accusations of authoritarian management, has polarized the motorsport community. Despite campaign promises to maintain a hands-off approach to Formula 1, Ben Salem’s actions have frequently contradicted this stance, drawing criticism from drivers, officials, and fans alike. Yet, even with this turbulence, he remains a strong favorite for reelection—a fact underscored by a surprising endorsement from Mercedes F1 Team Principal Toto Wolff.

Ben Salem’s Iron Fist Over Formula 1 and Beyond

Muhammad Ben Salem has spent much of the past four years consolidating power within the FIA, reshaping the governing body’s internal structure to ensure loyalists fill key positions. His approach to leadership has been described by some insiders as a “reign of terror,” a term first coined by former FIA senior steward Tim Mayer. Ben Salem’s rule has involved silencing dissenting voices, including senior executives and officials who have dared to criticize his methods or raise concerns about transparency.

Among the many contentious decisions under Ben Salem’s presidency:

Restrictions on Drivers’ Freedom of Speech: Drivers have been banned from swearing on team radio, and teams are prohibited from criticizing steward decisions or the FIA publicly.

Massive Staff Turnover: Key figures who opposed Ben Salem have been removed, including former FIA CEO Natalie Robin, race director Neils Wittich, compliance officer Paulo Bazari, and audit committee head Bertrren Badray. Notably, Bazari and Badray were investigating allegations of misuse of FIA funds.

Opaque Governance: Ben Salem has pushed for stricter non-disclosure agreements within the FIA Senate, limiting transparency around internal discussions and decisions.

Financial Control: The creation of an unregulated discretionary fund under his control, financed by the FIA, has raised eyebrows regarding accountability and the potential for misappropriation.

These moves have given Ben Salem near-total control over the FIA Senate, the body responsible for financial oversight and governance, after changes to Senate rules granted him the unilateral power to appoint or dismiss independent members. Critics argue this is a blatant power grab designed to silence opposition and centralize decision-making.

The Backlash: Calls for Change and Tim Mayer’s Challenge

The backlash against Ben Salem’s style has been mounting. Robert Reed, the FIA vice president for sport, resigned earlier this year, citing a “standards breakdown” under the current regime. Former FIA steward Tim Mayer, ousted from his position last year, has now declared his candidacy for the presidency, positioning himself as the candidate of reform and transparency.

Mayer’s campaign emphasizes returning power to FIA member clubs and the wider motorsport community, promising to reverse the centralization of authority and reinstate a culture of openness. In his announcement, Mayer criticized Ben Salem for failing to deliver on his initial promises of a “non-executive” presidency and instead entrenching himself as a dominant figure who rules with an iron fist.

Despite Mayer’s strong motorsport credentials and experience, he faces a daunting challenge. Ben Salem has spent years building a solid base of support, both within the FIA and among some international motor clubs, and his grip on the organization appears firm.

Toto Wolff’s Support: A Surprising Development

One of the more unexpected developments in the run-up to the election has been Toto Wolff’s public support for Ben Salem’s management style. While Wolff, the Mercedes F1 Team Principal, has sometimes disagreed with FIA decisions during Ben Salem’s tenure, he recently praised the president’s firm leadership in interviews with Austrian media.

Wolff acknowledged that Ben Salem “rules with an iron fist” and “doesn’t let anyone tell him what to do,” suggesting that this approach has merits, particularly in dealing with complex and varied challenges in modern motorsport governance.

Wolff specifically supported Ben Salem’s controversial ban on swearing over team radio, noting that many drivers do not speak English as a first language and that expressions can be misunderstood or shock listeners when literally translated. This stance contrasts sharply with Mercedes driver George Russell, who has vocally opposed the swearing ban as head of the Grand Prix Drivers Association.

Wolff also reversed his opposition to adding an 11th team to the Formula 1 grid, now endorsing the introduction of Cadillac’s works team—a move championed by Ben Salem as part of his broader vision to grow the sport.

What Does This Mean for the Future of the FIA?

The upcoming presidential election is shaping up to be a referendum on governance style and transparency within one of motorsport’s most influential organizations. On one side is Muhammad Ben Salem, whose centralized and authoritative approach has earned him staunch supporters like Toto Wolff but also a growing number of detractors concerned about accountability and fairness.

On the other side is Tim Mayer, representing a pushback against the concentration of power and advocating for a return to FIA principles that prioritize member clubs and openness. Whether Mayer can galvanize enough support to overcome Ben Salem’s entrenched position remains uncertain.

The wider motorsport community is watching closely. The outcome will influence not only Formula 1 but the future of international motorsport governance, including rallying, endurance racing, and grassroots motorsport initiatives overseen by the FIA.

Conclusion

Muhammad Ben Salem’s controversial reign as FIA President has been marked by bold, often divisive decisions that have reshaped the organization and its approach to Formula 1 and beyond. While his leadership style is criticized by many for silencing dissent and consolidating power, it has also garnered unlikely allies like Toto Wolff, who see value in firm governance amid an increasingly complex sporting landscape.

As the December 2025 elections approach, the FIA faces a critical crossroads: maintain the current course under Ben Salem’s iron fist or embrace reform and transparency under challengers like Tim Mayer. Motorsport fans and insiders alike will be paying close attention as this pivotal contest unfolds, with the future direction of global motorsport governance hanging in the balance.

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