A Legacy in Motorsport and a New Chapter in Leadership
Born and raised in the United Kingdom to American parents, Tim Mayer has spent decades immersed in the world of motorsport. His journey with the FIA began in 2009 and lasted until 2024, but his deep ties to the racing community stretch back even further. His father, Teddy Mayer, played a pivotal role in shaping one of the most iconic names in Formula 1—McLaren.
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Teddy Mayer was instrumental in the early years of the team, providing both business acumen and legal expertise. After Bruce McLaren’s untimely death in 1970, he took on a more active leadership role, steering the company through its formative years. This legacy of strategic thinking and operational excellence would later influence his son, Tim.
Tim Mayer was born in February 1966, just as his father was working to secure an engine supplier for McLaren’s first Formula 1 car. This early exposure to the high-stakes world of racing set the stage for his future career. He attended Wellington College, a prestigious public school in Berkshire known for producing top-tier rugby players, before moving to the United States for further studies. During this time, he also served in the army, gaining a unique perspective on discipline and leadership.
His return to motorsport came in 1992 when former McLaren driver Emerson Fittipaldi recruited him as a general business manager. Fittipaldi was beginning to phase out of racing and was focusing on other business ventures, which appealed to Mayer’s growing interest in the commercial side of the sport. After two years with Fittipaldi, Mayer decided to strike out on his own, founding G3 Communications, a consultancy that became involved in the international broadcasting of Champ Car races.
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This led to a series of roles within the Champ Car series itself, and eventually, he became the chief operating officer of IMSA in the mid-2000s. However, his career wasn’t limited to North America. In the late 2000s, Mayer returned to consultancy work and joined the Automobile Competition Committee for the United States. This body acts as a bridge between the FIA and US race-sanctioning organizations, and Mayer’s role grew to include overseeing all world championship races held in the US.
In parallel, Mayer also served as a race steward for the FIA, officiating at events such as Formula 1 grands prix, the World Endurance Championship, and the World Touring Car Championship. Despite being an unpaid position, he continued to balance his consultancy work, which eventually led to controversy.
The conflict came to light during the 2023 US Grand Prix, where Mayer was part of the stewards’ panel. The event faced criticism after a post-race track invasion, with the organizers found to have failed to ensure safety. Shortly after, Mayer represented the US Race Management organization when it challenged the €500,000 fine imposed. This dual role sparked accusations of a conflict of interest, leading to his dismissal from the stewards’ panel via a text message from a functionary rather than the FIA president himself.
Mayer described the incident as a reflection of poor management within the FIA, stating, “For a federation that relies on volunteers, to fire by text somebody who has made a significant contribution does not speak well of the management of the federation.”
A Bid for Change
Launching his presidential campaign ahead of the British Grand Prix, Mayer emphasized that his goal was not to seek revenge for his dismissal but to improve the governance of the FIA. He pointed to ongoing concerns about transparency and the concentration of power under the current leadership.
“It’s not about revenge,” Mayer said. “It’s about how we can drive the FIA forward.”
His campaign highlights a broader call for reform, aiming to address systemic issues within the governing body and restore trust among stakeholders. As the motorsport world watches closely, Mayer’s bid represents a significant shift in the landscape of FIA leadership.
