Spanish motorsport legend Carlos Sainz Sr. has confirmed he is considering a bid to become president of the FIA, the global governing body for motorsport. Speaking to Motorsport.com on Wednesday, the 63-year-old rally icon said he is assessing the level of support he could rally ahead of the December election.
Sainz, a two-time World Rally Champion and four-time Dakar Rally winner, remains an active competitor but is now eyeing a leadership role that could shape the future of global motorsport. If he runs, Sainz would become the first declared challenger to incumbent president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who is expected to seek re-election for a second term.
“This possibility 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,” said Sainz. “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.”
Ben Sulayem’s presidency has not been without controversy, with several disputes involving Formula One teams and drivers as well as rally stakeholders. Despite this, he retains significant influence due to geographical and regional voting dynamics within the FIA.
Presidential candidates must submit a full slate of nominees for key FIA positions as part of their candidacy. Addressing the potential issue of his son—Carlos Sainz Jr., a current Williams Formula One driver and director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association—Sainz Sr. was clear there would be no conflict of interest.
“Obviously, I will have to step down regarding my role with Carlos and his career but this is not an issue at all,” he explained. “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’s candidacy, if confirmed, would mark a significant moment in the FIA’s recent history, potentially bringing a competitor’s perspective to the presidency at a time when the sport is undergoing rapid change and growing scrutiny.
