Two-time World Rally champion Carlos Sainz Sr is reportedly emerging as a strong potential candidate to challenge incumbent Mohammed Ben Sulayem in the FIA presidential election scheduled for December 2025.
Sainz, the 63-year-old father of Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz, is understood to have garnered significant support from executives across various motorsport disciplines overseen by the FIA.
Sainz confirmed on Wednesday that he is considering putting himself forward for the prestigious role.
“There are plenty of reasons, but I have been driving for more than 40 years and this sport has given me everything,” he stated.
“This possibility [of being president] has been in my mind for some time now, not very deeply, but now I think it could be the right time in my career for me to take the step. I`m confident I can do a good job and put together an excellent team to give back to the sport part of what it has given me.
“I have accumulated a lot of experience in this sport throughout the years and I`m certain I can bring new and interesting things, to strengthen and develop the sport and the automobile world.”
Concerns regarding a potential conflict of interest due to his son competing in Formula 1 are not expected to be a major hurdle. Sainz Sr is anticipated to be able to delegate any matters affecting the competitive aspects of the sport.
According to a senior figure within a leading F1 team, Sainz`s `irreproachable` reputation for personal integrity would alleviate any such concerns, making him a `very plausible candidate`.
Addressing the potential conflict directly, Sainz stated: “I have my track record and people know me well enough to understand that this will not be an issue. Obviously, I will have to step down regarding my role with Carlos and his career but this is not an issue at all.
“He`s not a child anymore, he has been in F1 for a decade now and we both know that if I go ahead with this project our relationship will change, of course.
“The FIA is a very serious entity and there will be no conflict.”
While Sainz may have support from key figures in motorsport, winning the election will require gaining the backing of FIA members, among whom Ben Sulayem is believed to still hold popularity.
Ben Sulayem, elected president at the end of 2021, has presided over a tenure marked by controversy and unprecedented turnover in senior positions. A notable recent departure was that of deputy president for sport Robert Reid last month, who reportedly resigned over concerns about the FIA`s governance direction under Ben Sulayem.
The current president has also been involved in a dispute with drivers across various series regarding stricter fines and penalties for misconduct, including swearing.
Grand Prix Drivers` Association director George Russell recently urged Ben Sulayem to act on statements about reconsidering misconduct rules, while seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has emphasized the need for drivers to have a strong voice in the sport`s governance.
Carlos Sainz Sr is understood to favor a collaborative approach with drivers and potentially giving the GPDA greater influence on the rules governing motorsport.
The next FIA general assembly, where the presidential election is scheduled to take place, is set for December 12 in Uzbekistan.
