Business F1 Top 20 Petrolheads: Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA President, driver and great collector

A renowned rally driver with a special talent for desert races, and a collector of classic cars with a particular fondness for the Mercedes-Benz 600, Mohammed Ben Sulayem is now the President of the International Automobile Federation - the FIA, which governs Formula 1, World Rally, and World WEC, to name just a few. Born in Dubai sixty-three years ago and educated in the United States, he was elected by a large majority to lead the FIA. His passion for cars is a crucial prerequisite for his challenging role, where he must make strategic decisions, create regulations, and ensure they are enforced.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem from December 2021 has been President of the FIA, the International Automobile Federation.

Despite his demanding role at the FIA, Ben Sulayem’s near-obsessive passion for classic cars remains as strong as ever. His collection, described by someone close to him as “where elegance meets performance,” mirrors his love for automotive art. His fascination with the Mercedes 600, a luxury car from 1963 and popular in his region, is rooted in his childhood memories. In a conversation with Business F1, Ben Sulayem highlighted the car’s pioneering yet flawed technology. “The engineering capabilities of Mercedes engineers back then were incredible, but the materials available couldn’t keep up with their ideas. The 600’s hydraulic system and air suspensions have about 500 seals that often fail. For my 600s, I had them remade in a more modern material that didn’t exist when the cars were built. The air suspension valves required incredible precision that they couldn’t achieve back then. So, we had them remanufactured. It took a year to find a Japanese camera and camcorder manufacturer capable of such precision.” Knowing the rigour of the Japanese, it is not surprising that they asked him what those valves were to be used for. “I told them it came from a 50-year-old Mercedes, and they thought I was crazy. Fifty years ago, they said, no one in the world could have made a part with this level of precision. This gives you an idea of how advanced this car was at the time.”

Mohammed Ben Sulayem knows more about the Mercedes-Benz 600 saloon car of the sixties and seventies than any man alive. He reputedly owns 21 of them.

To grasp the extent of his attachment to the Mercedes 600, consider that he owns an impressive 21 examples!

However, his automotive interests extend far beyond this model. His collection, which commands immense respect, is particularly noteworthy given that UAE law restricted vintage car circulation until 2012. An avid McLaren enthusiast, he has a standing order at the Woking factory for immediate delivery of the latest models. His impressive line-up includes two McLaren Speedtails, a P1, and various standard models. His garage also features four Ferraris: an F40, F50, Enzo, and LaFerrari. A stunning 1965 green Ford Mustang Fastback stands out among his more expensive exotics. He also owns an immaculate 1971 Lamborghini Miura, which shares space with an original 300SL Gullwing and a spectacular pair of Mercedes-Benz CLK GTRs in both coupe and roadster versions. His collection also includes exotic sports cars like the Koenigsegg Agera RS and Regera, and no fewer than four modern-era Bugattis.

Ben Sulayem is one of the few in the world to own the holy trinity: McLaren P1, LaFerrari, and Porsche 918. A couple of Ford GTs and a Lamborghini Countach have also been spotted in his garage by visitors. “Vintage cars are not just means of transport; they are synonymous with fun, cultural heritage, and the preservation of history,” he says.

Thank you, Ben Sulayem, that’s exactly what we at Roarington have always maintained. A FIA President with this mindset is a guarantee. Plus, having solved the Mercedes 600 problem, any challenge the racing world throws at him, he’ll know exactly how to handle it.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem photographed in his garage in the suburbs of Dubai where he immerses himself in the cars he loves.

The December issue of "BusinessF1" magazine featured the Top 20 Petrolheads, showcasing exceptional collectors in the world of motorsport. Starting today, Roarington will delve deeper into the captivating stories of these remarkable enthusiasts, sharing a new profile each week.