Mohammed bin Sulayem

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Mohammed bin Sulayem bigraphy, stories - Emirati rally driver

Mohammed bin Sulayem : biography

1961 –

Mohammed Ahmed bin Sulayem or Mohammed ben Sulayem (born 1961) is the Arab world’s leading motor sport figure and an influential official within the sport’s world governing body, the FIA. A successful organiser and record-breaking former international rally driver, he is a role model to young people across the Middle East.

In a rallying career spanning three decades, he became the most successful Arab driver in motor sport history with 14 FIA Middle East Championship titles, and established himself as a sporting ambassador for the region.

In 2008, he became the first Arab named as Vice President of the FIA, and the first to be elected to the FIA World Motor Sport Council. In his FIA role he has pioneered teaching, research and knowledge transfer initiatives in motor sport.

As President of the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE since 2006, he has built the organisation into one of the world’s leading national motor sport and motoring authorities, with acknowledged expertise in associated training, research and education.

Born in Dubai, he is one of the most celebrated sporting figures to emerge from the United Arab Emirates. He is recognised for presenting a modern and progressive image of the Arab world to a global audience, and by promoting good causes, public service and education.

Honorary doctorate

In July 2012, Sulayem was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Science from the University of Ulster, one of the UK’s leading learning institutes, in recognition of his services to sport, civic leadership and charity.

F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

One of the biggest challenges for Sulayem’s organisational skills was the 2009 debut in the FIA Formula 1 World Championship of the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

As President of the ATCUAE, the sporting organisers of the event, he was in charge of a 700-srong team of officials and marshals tasked with ensuring the event ran smoothly and safely.

It was the first race run in both day and night time and was watched by a TV audience of more than 500 million people.

The race was an outstanding success, going on to earn the award as the best event in the 2009 F1 World Championship, and has since firmly established itself as one of the most popular and respected F1 events with drivers, teams, racing fans and the media.

Automobile & Touring Club of the UAE

Since taking over as President of the ATCUAE in 2006, Sulayem has transformed the organisation into one of the world’s leading national motor sport authorities.

The Club is the official representative in the Emirates of the FIA, motor sport’s world governing body, and its motor cycling, karting and classic car counterparts, the FIM, CIK and FIVA.

Overseeing more than 140 events annually from Formula One to local moto cross, the Club is now recognised internationally as a knowledge led organisation which delivers training programmes to assist the development of motor sport in many other countries.

Equally active in the field of mobility, it provides wide-ranging services to motorists and travellers in support of the FIA’s commitment to help people move easily about their world, and is a strong supporter of road safety initiatives.

Motor sport duties

Under Sulayem’s guidance, the Club has assumed growing responsibilities for the supervision of all forms of circuit racing, rallying, drag racing and moto cross that make up the UAE’s ever expanding motor sport calendar.

Its major duty is to ensure all events are run in accordance with the regulations of the FIA and FIM, with top priority given to the safety of competitors, spectators, media and the general public.

The Club has major responsibilities as sporting organisers of the F1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and other year-round competitive events at Yas Marina Circuit.

Since 2009, it has worked hand in hand with Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management to create one of the world’s premier platforms for F1 racing and other world-class competitive motor sport.