Carlos Sainz Sr has emerged as a potential candidate to run against incumbent Mohammed Ben Sulayem in the FIA presidential election later this year.
Sainz, a two-time World Rally champion, appears to be the substantial candidate that has been rumoured for some time to be preparing to rival Ben Sulayem in the December contest.
The 63-year-old, who is the father of Williams Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz, is understood by Sky Sports News to have widespread support from executives across the various motorsport categories that the FIA has jurisdiction over.
Sainz confirmed to Autosport on Wednesday that he is considering putting himself forward for the role.
“There are plenty of reasons, but I have been driving for more than 40 years and this sport has given me everything,” he said.
Sainz Sr could run against current FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem in December’s election
“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.”
There is not expected to be concern among F1 teams regarding a conflict of interest over Sainz governing the sport his son is competing in, with an expectation that the Spaniard would be able to delegate any topics considered to be impacting the competitive picture.
A senior figure at a leading F1 team told Sky Sports F1 that Sainz’s “irreproachable” record in terms of personal integrity would eradicate any concerns and that he should be considered as a “very plausible candidate”.
Sainz added: “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 said.
“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.”
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George Russell responded to the news that the FIA is considering changes to driver swearing fines, saying the words ‘consider’ mean nothing until changes have been made
While Sainz may have support from key motorsport figures, to be elected he will need to garner support from FIA members, many of whom Ben Sulayem is understood to retain popularity with.
Ben Sulayem, who was elected president at the end of 2021, has overseen a controversial term at the helm of the governing body but is keen to extend his tenure.
There has been unprecedented turnover in senior roles within the organisation, with the most recent notable departure coming last month as deputy president for sport Robert Reid resigned, citing concerns over the direction of governance at the FIA under Ben Sulayem’s leadership.
The Emirati has been involved in a dispute with drivers across multiple categories over his decision to introduce harsher fines and punishments for swearing and other misconduct.
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Carlos Sainz shared a hilarious response to being slapped with a fine after he was late to the national anthem due to using the bathroom during the Japanese Grand Prix
Speaking last week, Grand Prix Drivers’ Association director George Russell urged Ben Sulayem to follow up on a statement in which the FIA president had said he was “considering” making another update to the misconduct rules.
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton insisted that drivers need to hold “a power seat at the table” in regard to the sport’s governance.
Sainz Sr is understood to be keen to work in a collaborative manner with drivers and provide the GDPA greater influence on the sport’s rules.
The presidential election is scheduled to be held at the next FIA general assembly in Uzbekistan on December 12.
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