Carlos Sainz Sr. withdraws from FIA presidency race

Carlos Sainz Sr. Withdraws Bid for FIA Presidency, Clearing Path for Mohammed Ben Sulayem

In a surprise development, Carlos Sainz Sr., two-time World Rally Champion and father of Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz Jr., has decided against running for the presidency of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). This clears the path for incumbent Mohammed Ben Sulayem to seek reelection unopposed, barring any late entrants.

Sainz Sr. had expressed interest in challenging Ben Sulayem earlier this year, raising expectations that the FIA might face its first contested presidential race in recent memory. However, in a statement released Wednesday, the veteran driver cited a combination of "present circumstances" within the organization and his commitments to the Ford team and the grueling Dakar Rally as reasons for his withdrawal.

"This message is to publicly confirm that I have finally decided not to run for the presidency of the FIA in this year's election," Sainz Sr. explained. "I have worked hard these past months to understand in depth the situation at the FIA and the demands and complexities that come with such an important project.

He continued:

"After a thoughtful reflection, I have come to the conclusion that the present circumstances are not ideal to set the grounds for my candidacy. Furthermore, I have realized that properly running for President would notably compromise my preparation for the Dakar, and I do not wish to weaken my commitment to Ford and my team. These concerns have therefore inclined me to be realistic and desist from my FIA endeavor for now."

Sainz’s Commitment to Motorsport

Sainz remained emphatic in his dedication to motorsport:

"Despite stepping down from this race, my passion for serving and leading within the motorsport world hasn't changed, and I still believe the organization needs important changes, which I remain genuinely hopeful will be tackled in the upcoming years."

Sainz’s decision to opt out has raised eyebrows within the motorsport community, particularly given the FIA’s recent approval of statute changes that critics argue could make it more difficult for challengers to compete against Ben Sulayem. While Sainz’s statement stopped short of explicitly referencing these changes, his remark about "present circumstances" is widely seen as an acknowledgment of the altered landscape within the organization.

Controversies Within Ben Sulayem’s Leadership

The FIA has faced mounting scrutiny over the governance of Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the first FIA president from the Middle East, who took office in 2021. His term has been marked by internal disagreements, controversies with Formula 1, and clashes with drivers over issues such as banning jewelry during races and cracking down on profanity in public statements.

The internal discontent within the governing body came to light earlier this year when Robert Reid, a former FIA deputy president and once a close ally of Ben Sulayem, resigned, citing a "fundamental breakdown in governance standards." Reid, along with others such as Motorsport UK chief David Richards, opposed changes to the FIA’s statutes last December, arguing that they reduced the powers of critical oversight committees like those for ethics and auditing.

Ben Sulayem’s leadership has also led to a strained relationship between the FIA and Formula 1. While he has championed initiatives such as pushing for Andretti and General Motors’ inclusion as a potential 11th team, that move was met with resistance from existing Formula 1 teams. The controversy subsided after General Motors fully committed to the project, with Cadillac set to enter the grid next year.

Challenges Ahead for Ben Sulayem

Although he looks likely to secure reelection uncontested, Ben Sulayem faces a busy term ahead, laden with unresolved tensions between the FIA and Formula 1, brewing dissatisfaction within the organization, and the need to rebuild trust in its governance.

Carlos Sainz Sr. Remains Passionate About Motorsport

As for Carlos Sainz Sr., while he has bowed out for now, his passion for motorsport leadership remains unwavering:

"Both racing and mobility have been my life, and I will closely follow future developments with great interest," Sainz concluded. "I will always support my sport and try to contribute in all meaningful ways to improve mobility for road users around the world."

Ben Sulayem is now poised to enter the next chapter of his presidency, but challenges—both internal and external—are unlikely to ease anytime soon.

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