Mayer: Drivers are stars and not children

The only candidate to take over the stewardship of motorsport has called for a change of culture after several high-profile clashes between Formula One drivers and incumbent boss Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

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Tim Mayer, who is running for president of the FIA (Federation Internationale de l'Automobile) governing body, told AFP he wants to usher in a new era of partnership between officials, drivers and teams.

"It's not about power, it’s not about controversy, it’s not about ‘how do we control things?! It’s about ‘how do we serve?’ Mayer told AFP in an exclusive interview on the sidelines of the Dutch Grand Prix.

Under Emirati Ben Sulayem, the FIA has frequently been involved in public spats, notably over whether drivers could swear over team radio, or a high-profile 2022 argument about clothing.

Ben Sulayem wanted to strictly enforce regulations about fire-retardant underwear and make drivers remove jewellery, setting him on a collision course with seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.

The “underwear saga” sparked criticism that Ben Sulayem was power-crazed and intervening on matters of minimal importance when there were more pressing issues facing the sport.

"The fans really don’t want to hear about driver underwear,” said Mayer, who is seeking election in December.