Mohamed Ben Sulayem has been elected President of the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile following the FIA Annual General Assembly in Paris, succeeding Jean Todt.
Ben Sulayem, 60, from United Arab Emirates, President of the Emirates Motorsports Organisation (EMSO) since 2005 was FIA World Motor Sport Council Vice President for Middle East.
A former rally driver, he was 14-time FIA Middle East Rally Champion, winning 61 international events from 1983 to 2002.
He campaigned under the banner “FIA for Members”, committing to double motorsport participation worldwide, strengthen diversity and inclusion and be a leading opinion-former on sustainable mobility.
I am truly honoured to be elected President of the @FiA. Thank you all so much. I am humbled by the trust you’ve placed in me and the team and we pledge to govern in the interests of all members. pic.twitter.com/9E7TiG0PyG
— Mohammed Ben Sulayem (@Ben_Sulayem) December 17, 2021
"I am very honoured to have been elected FIA President at the conclusion of the Annual General Assembly in Paris today," said Ben Sulayem.
"I thank all the Member Clubs for their esteem and trust. I congratulate Graham for his campaign and his engagement to the Federation. I wish to express my infinite gratitude in the name of the FIA and that of its Members to Jean Todt for all that has been achieved over the past 12 years.
"I am committed to pursuing the important work and make motor sport and mobility take further steps forward.”
Jean Todt, former FIA President, added: "A chapter has come to an end. We can be collectively satisfied of our achievements in motor sport and safe and sustainable mobility over the past 12 years.
"I would like to warmly thank my team, our administration and all our Member Clubs for their unwavering commitment, enthusiasm and resilience.
"I congratulate Mohammed on his election as FIA President and wish him, his team, and the Federation the best of success for the years to come.”