Carlos Sainz Sr could be putting in a bid to run against Mohammed Ben Sulayem in the upcoming elections to become FIA President.
Ben Sulayem has become a divisive figure, most recently coming under fire from the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA) for the clampdown on swearing, which saw Max Verstappen handed community service and Charles Leclerc a fine.
Revisions were later made to the International Sporting Code, with drivers now facing fines that start at €40,000 (£33,000) and reach as high as €120,000 (£100,000).
Drivers in WRC staged a protest before the FIA intervened, while senior figures have also left, including deputy president for sport Robert Reid, who said he found himself “unable to continue within a system that no longer reflected the standards I believe the FIA must uphold” in a post on Substack.
Sainz Sr is ‘seriously considering’ whether to run against the Emirati, according to Motorsport.com, but a potential issue has arisen for the Spaniard should he go ahead with the bid.
Damon Hill thinks Carlos Sainz conflict of interest ‘goes without saying’
Sainz Sr is the father of F1 driver Carlos Sainz Jr, who currently races for Williams and has won four races since joining the grid in 2015.
The Spaniard has also recently been appointed as the director of the GPDA, replacing Sebastian Vettel who held the post for nine years.
When asked about a potential conflict of interest, Sainz Sr said that his “relationship will change” with his son when speaking to The Race.
Responding to the comments on his Instagram channel, Damon Hill said that it “goes without saying” that such a change in dynamic would take place between the two.
What are the chances of Carlos Sainz Sr becoming FIA President?
Nobody has beaten an incumbent FIA President in elections since Max Mosley went up against Jean-Marie Balestre and won in 1993.
The FIA is a complex organisation and it is the member clubs who ultimately decide who becomes president. Sainz Sr will need a strong base of support, including nominations from member clubs from each region, including the Middle East and Africa.
Although Sainz Sr is well-known among motorsport circles, he will need support from the mobility clubs and can show that he represents their interests. He has previously done work in road safety as an advisor to Spanish charity Ponle Freno.
Some countries also hold more votes than others, simply because they have more mobility clubs. One example of this is France, which has a total of four clubs. Should Sainz Sr go ahead, it would signify that there is some appetite for change from the current administration.
