Carlos Sainz Sr. has chosen not to stand against the current president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, in the upcoming election for the leadership of the FIA, motorsport`s governing body.
Following his announcement in May that he was considering a bid, the two-time World Rally champion, and father of Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz, confirmed his decision on Wednesday. He stated that the “present circumstances are not ideal to set the grounds for my candidacy.” Sainz Sr. also mentioned his ongoing commitment to the Ford team and participation in the Dakar Rally as factors in his decision.
Critics of the current FIA president are likely to interpret Sainz Sr.`s reference to unfavorable “present circumstances” as related to recent changes to the governing body`s statutes. These changes, approved earlier this month, have been suggested by some to make it more difficult for any candidate to challenge Ben Sulayem`s potential re-election.
In a detailed statement, Sainz Sr. explained that while he worked hard to understand the complexities of the FIA presidency, he concluded that the current situation was not conducive to launching his campaign effectively. He also realized that properly pursuing the presidency would significantly impact his preparation for the Dakar Rally, a commitment he felt strongly about maintaining with Ford and his team. These considerations ultimately led him to realistically withdraw from the FIA endeavor for now.
Despite stepping back from this race, Sainz Sr. emphasized that his passion for serving and leading within the motorsport world remains unchanged. He reiterated his belief that important changes are needed within the organization and expressed genuine hope that these would be addressed in the coming years. He affirmed his intention to continue supporting the sport and contributing positively to mobility for road users worldwide.
With Carlos Sainz Sr.`s withdrawal, Mohammed Ben Sulayem is now anticipated to run unopposed in the election for FIA president.
Ben Sulayem, who was elected in 2021 as the first FIA president from the Middle East, has faced several controversies during his term. These include disagreements with drivers on various issues, such as the jewelry ban introduced in 2022 and, more recently, regulations concerning profanity in news conferences.
Furthermore, Robert Reid, a former close ally who resigned as an FIA deputy president in April, cited a “fundamental breakdown in governance standards” within the governing body in his resignation statement. Reid, along with Motorsport UK head David Richards, had previously opposed other statute changes approved last December, arguing they limited the powers of audit and ethics committees.
The period under Ben Sulayem`s presidency has also seen heightened tensions between the FIA and Formula 1 over various matters. Notably, he was a key figure in bringing Andretti and General Motors forward as a potential 11th team, a move that initially met resistance from Formula 1 and its existing teams. This process eventually led to General Motors fully committing to an entry, with Cadillac set to join the grid next year and plans to produce American-made engines by the end of the decade.
