FiA Presidential election...
Discussion
I just came on here to post the same.
I think its odd, if not unprecedented that an ASN would publicly state it's allegiance before the election.
There must be some significant back ground politics going on, in that Bin Sulayam and Reid are not obviously F1 and therefore are likely to get a pasting at the elections, because its all about F1 at the FIA. The big money men in F1 will be wanting someone who represents their interests first. And for those with long memories this kind of machiavellian activity is what kiboshed the WRC when it rivalled F1 in the 1980's. BE pushing out the WRC agenda to focus on his own.
It's a big risk strategy in my opinion, if Stoker wins, there's going to be a lot of coughing and spluttering in MUK as they try not to get marginalised by the new leader they don't like.
IMHO Bin Sulayam and Reid are probably the better more balanced option but....
I think its odd, if not unprecedented that an ASN would publicly state it's allegiance before the election.
There must be some significant back ground politics going on, in that Bin Sulayam and Reid are not obviously F1 and therefore are likely to get a pasting at the elections, because its all about F1 at the FIA. The big money men in F1 will be wanting someone who represents their interests first. And for those with long memories this kind of machiavellian activity is what kiboshed the WRC when it rivalled F1 in the 1980's. BE pushing out the WRC agenda to focus on his own.
It's a big risk strategy in my opinion, if Stoker wins, there's going to be a lot of coughing and spluttering in MUK as they try not to get marginalised by the new leader they don't like.
IMHO Bin Sulayam and Reid are probably the better more balanced option but....
I agree - it's basically an F1 position. You need F1 connections, or you'll be nowhere. I recall the 2009 election; Todt v Vatanen - and a discussion on 5 Live about the election, they all knew who Todt was, from his Ferrari days, but Vatanen "I heard/think he was a rally driver?"
It doesn't help when the FiA President is often called 'the boss of F1' - by the media, completely unaware that he's not.
It doesn't help when the FiA President is often called 'the boss of F1' - by the media, completely unaware that he's not.
I imagine somewhere within these murky doings is an angle for Dave Richards to become the senior in / head of FIA at some point in the future.
But I support their vote for Bin Sulayem and Reid. Don't forget Richards was Reid's boss for 6 years and they delivered a WRc title (and a BRC).
For one thing G.Stoker declined to have his hustings made public, such old-school secrecy is something I dislike.
But I support their vote for Bin Sulayem and Reid. Don't forget Richards was Reid's boss for 6 years and they delivered a WRc title (and a BRC).
For one thing G.Stoker declined to have his hustings made public, such old-school secrecy is something I dislike.
A welcome surprise - I think it's the right choice. What I have found depressing is the comments (many which are racist) on social media; the inference he only got the job because of money. He's long been involved with the FiA, and of course a multi time Middle East Rally champion.....he's well earned this post!
Dynion Araf Uchaf said:
Is there anywhere we can find out how close the vote was?
Google... Ben Sulayem defeated Graham Stoker, who served as the FIA's deputy president for sport under Todt, with 61.6% of the vote. Stoker recorded 36.6% of votes, while abstentions were recorded at 1.8%.
Also ,looking at the bigger picture, this result is no shock the Middle East are sport washing relentlessly right now, so expect just about every championship t have far more Middle Eastern rounds, new tracks etc. This is their policy and they now have an Arab as the head FIA guy, so expect the expected.
RichB said:
New FIA president Mohammed ben Sulayem refuses to rule out punishing Lewis Hamilton for boycotting its awards ceremony.
Asked to clarify whether he was saying Hamilton would be penalised for not attending the gala, he said: "Forgiveness is always there. But rules are rules."
It will probably go "You broke the rules, please dont do that again" and lets move on.Asked to clarify whether he was saying Hamilton would be penalised for not attending the gala, he said: "Forgiveness is always there. But rules are rules."
LukeBrown66 said:
Also ,looking at the bigger picture, this result is no shock the Middle East are sport washing relentlessly right now, so expect just about every championship t have far more Middle Eastern rounds, new tracks etc. This is their policy and they now have an Arab as the head FIA guy, so expect the expected.
But would that be such a bad thing? I seem to recall way back in the mists of time Kenny Roberts questioning why the 500cc Grabnd Prix championsip was called a world championship when it didn't visit most of the world.Maybe new events in the Middle East or other countries that motorsport hasn't traditionally visited will be a good thing.
ArnageWRC said:
I agree - it's basically an F1 position. You need F1 connections, or you'll be nowhere. I recall the 2009 election; Todt v Vatanen - and a discussion on 5 Live about the election, they all knew who Todt was, from his Ferrari days, but Vatanen "I heard/think he was a rally driver?"
It doesn't help when the FiA President is often called 'the boss of F1' - by the media, completely unaware that he's not.
This isn't very accurate. F1 is a tiny part of the FIA and Jean Todt had hardly any involvement in it. What the public perceive and the reality differs hugely. It doesn't help when the FiA President is often called 'the boss of F1' - by the media, completely unaware that he's not.
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