Carlos Sainz Sr explains why “now is the right time” to consider running for FIA president

Carlos Sainz Sr has said “now is the right time” to consider running for FIA president, as he dismissed any suggestion of a conflict of interest.

Speaking exclusively to Autosport, the two-time World Rally champion said he was “currently in the process of figuring out how much support I will get from the community of motorsport”.

The next presidential election will be held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on 12 December, and incumbent Mohammed Ben Sulayem is expected to seek a second term. No other candidates have yet come forward. 

Sainz, who still races and won the Dakar Rally in 2024 with Audi, said he had previously thought about running as head of the governing body of motorsport but never seriously before now.  

“There are plenty of reasons, but I have been driving for more than 40 years and this sport has given me everything,” he said.

“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.”

Sainz is the father of Williams F1 driver Carlos Sainz Jr, and when asked if there would be a conflict of interest, Sainz Sr insisted that he would do everything needed to ensure there wasn’t.

“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.”

Carlos Sainz Sr and his son in 2023

Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images

When asked what he would bring to the role, Sainz said it would be his track record of how he has previously worked.

“Well, everybody has his own way of running [an organisation], his own beliefs on what is best and his own way of understanding this sport and the world of mobility,” he said.

“I think my track record shows that when I’m committed to something I only know one way to do things, which is professionally, seriously and straightforward. Then it will be up to the community to decide.”

The FIA has seen relations with Formula 1 strained over the past few years due to the list of controversies.

Sainz would not be drawn on Ben Sulayem’s controversial term in office, in which he was investigated for potentially influencing the outcome of a race, has fallen out with the drivers across different series over his ban on swearing, and has recently faced an exodus of senior executives from the Paris-based organisation.

“I think obviously lately there has been some controversy, but I want to concentrate on myself. I leave the judgment to others,” he said.

“If I do this [run for president] it will not be to fight anyone, it will be out of passion and love for motorsport, because I believe I can help and improve certain things.

“I believe it is probably the right time for me personally and professionally, and that is why I am considering it.”

Carlos Sainz Sr

Photo by: Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images

Sainz said that his previous role as a driver meant he would ensure he listened to everyone involved in the sport to improve relations between the governing body and the different racing bodies.

“I have been on the other side of motorsport and I know how important it is to listen to everybody – drivers, teams, fans, organisers, promoters, social, manufacturers. I truly think I can make that relationship much smoother and stronger,” he said. 

“I would like to see the future of the FIA as an entity that is really appreciated and respected by everybody.”

Sainz will now determine how much support he has before deciding if he will formally put himself forward as a candidate.