Mohammed ben Sulayem won the FIA presidential election late last week when he outvoted his rival Graham Stoker in the fight for the most powerful position in motor sport.
One of his first decisions during his campaign was to propose Fabiana Ecclestone (wife of Bernie Ecclestone) as a candidate for vice president of sports in South America. In this way, it was the first time in the 117-year history of the FIA that a woman was proposed as vice president of sport.
His involvement in the Sulayem project has sparked some rumors that former Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone could be at the beck and call of the new FIA president to offer his insights and influence.
However, Sulayem explained that Ecclestone has made it clear to him that he has no interest in participating and that he is leaving all FIA functions to Fabiana.
Referring to Bernie Ecclestone’s possible involvement, Sulayem said that Fabiana was chosen because of the impressive work she had done in Brazil and not because of ties to her husband.
“This is history for the FIA, to have the first woman nominated in our entire history,” he said.
“We are not talking about commissions: we are talking about being a vice president.”
“So when I approached them, I didn’t approach them because of their name, I approached them because of their credibility and their work. And the choice was made on merit.”
“She’s been involved in mobility in Brazil, and she’s also been into F1 in Brazil. So she understands the sport and mobility side, and she’s been on two of the Commissions, so her experience is there.”
“Bernie said to me, ‘You have to convince her. It has nothing to do with me.’ So that’s where his help went.”
Sulayem acknowledged that Bernie Ecclestone has a wealth of experience that would be valuable, but felt his current team was strong enough to make the necessary upgrades.
“Bernie is definitely one of the great references in Formula 1, and you always need people’s experience and wisdom. But I think we have a good team in the FIA and we have a good (Motor Sport) Council that we can call and ask, to help the sport and Formula 1 grow,” he concluded.
