Carlos Sainz Sr could run against Mohammed Ben Sulayem to be the next FIA president, it has emerged this week. The controversial leader may have a big-name opponent in December’s election.
‘Several key figures’ in the motorsport world have approached the Spaniard urging him to challenge Ben Sulayem. The father of Williams driver Carlos Sainz, he won two titles in the World Rally Championship during the 1990s.
According to Motorsport.com, Sainz Sr is ‘seriously considering’ whether to run. There was talk earlier this year that F1 Academy chief Susie Wolff could be a candidate, but that now looks unlikely.
| PRESIDENT | START | END |
| P. A. von Metternich-Winneburg | 1975 | 1985 |
| J. Balestre | 1985 | 1993 |
| M. Mosley | 1993 | 2009 |
| J. Todt | 2009 | 2021 |
| M. Ben Sulayem | 2021 | Present |
In an interview with the same outlet, the 63-year-old said ‘it could be the right time’ to take this step in his career. He’s trying to gauge just how much support he would have.
Ben Sulayem, who replaced Jean Todt at the end of 2021, has become a divisive figure. The Grand Prix Drivers’ Association released a statement in November hitting back at the clampdown on swearing.
They asked to be treated like adults and urged the president to ‘consider his own tone and language’. That highlighted the tense atmosphere.
Damon Hill indicates support for Carlos Sainz Sr before possible FIA president bid
It seems that Sainz Sr already has the backing of Damon Hill. The outcome will be determined by the member countries of the international governing body.
Still, it’s significant that an F1 world champion and a prominent pundit seems to be in favour. When Autosport shared the news on Instagram, Hill responded ‘si, si’ on his story.
That, of course, is Spanish for ‘yes, yes’. Hill has encountered Sainz Sr in the F1 paddock, where he regularly supports his son.
He would look to restore stability to the FIA after a swathe of resignations in recent times. Robert Reid, Ben Sulayem’s deputy, walked last month.
Carlos Sainz Sr has a son on the grid – but Mohamed Ben Sulayem is connected to one team
Inevitably, opponents will suggest that Sainz Sr has a conflict of interest and may lobby for rules that work in his son’s favour. At 30, the highly-rated Williams driver is poised to remain in the sport long-term.
“I have my track record and people know me well enough to understand that this will not be an issue,” he responded. “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.”
Sainz Sr has previously criticised Kimi Antonelli in private. The Italian denied his son a seat at Mercedes following his Ferrari exit.
What’s more, it’s believed that Sainz Sr had a tense relationship with Jos Verstappen while their sons raced for Toro Rosso. That could inform the reigning world champion’s stance on his candidacy.
Still, it’s worth noting that Ben Sulayem has a close connection with Red Bull. The energy drinks brand backed him during his career, but there’s no indication that has in any way swayed him during his tenure.
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