FIA Presidential candidate Mohammed ben Sulayem is delighted to announce that Fabiana Ecclestone and Daniel Coen will be standing for the post of Vice President Sport for South America and North America regions respectively.
Mrs Ecclestone, the first woman in the history of the Federation to be a candidate for a post of vice president on the sporting side of the organisation, is a Brazilian lawyer. She has experience both on the sport and mobility side of the FIA, having worked for 25 years for the Brazilian Grand Prix promoter, rising to the rank of President of Marketing. As for mobility, Mrs Ecclestone, who speaks four languages, was the co-founder of the Brazilian mobility club AAB and serves on number of FIA commissions, notably Women in Motor Sport and Land Speed Records.
Mrs Ecclestone said: “What I can bring to this important role for motor sport in South America is my passion for developing talent, both on track and also in all the roles that make the magic of racing happen, focusing on growing motor sport in the region for young women and men. My experience of working in sport and in mobility is a plus as I can take a broad view of the issues and look for long-term, innovative solutions.”
Mr Coen is currently Secretary General of NACAM, the FIA's North American sport region, having previously been both the organisation’s Treasurer and Vice President. Born in the US, he is a civil engineer and a lifelong motor sport fan: he was one of the founders of the Costa Rica Rally Association and has been a board member of the Automobile Club of Costa Rica, of which he is now President. He is a member of the FIA Touring Car Commission and has been active in promoting training programmes for sports officials, focusing especially on safety. Mr Coen has also been an FIA International Steward for WTCR, WTCC, ETCC and Formula E.
Mr Coen said: “I am passionate about training and instructing new generations of stewards and race-day officials across all disciplines of motor sport. The ongoing digital evolution of e-learning has provided even more opportunities for aspiring official to improve their knowledge base and aspire to greater involvement.”
Mrs Ecclestone and Mr Coen represent and reflect the thinking of Ben Sulayem and his Leadership Team, of making the FIA more representative of its members and their concerns, bridging the needs of sport and mobility and addressing the issues of diversity, affordability and access across the Federation.
Mr Ben Sulayem said: “It is with great pleasure that I welcome the addition of Fabiana and Daniel to our talented and experienced team that is standing for election, and renewal, of the FIA in December. They are both active examples of what we are trying to achieve in bridging sport and mobility, creating educational and vocational opportunities for our members in the Americas, and indeed worldwide.”