Carlos Sainz Sr considering run for FIA president

Carlos Sainz Sr is contemplating operating in opposition to Mohammed Ben Sulayem to be the following FIA president.

Sources near the previous World Rally champion and Dakar winner mentioned that a number of key figures from throughout the motorsport world have approached him about operating in opposition to Ben Sulayem, the present FIA president.

Autosport understands that Sainz, the daddy of Williams Formulation 1 driver Carlos Sainz, is now critically contemplating whether or not to face in opposition to Ben Sulayem, whose tenure as president of F1’s governing physique has been marred by controversy.

If 63-year-old Sainz had been to face in opposition to Ben Sulayem, himself a former rally driver, sources mentioned it could be to “current a constructive and constructive program” to provide the FIA delegates another choice within the election for president.

Ben Sulayem, additionally 63, was elected president on the finish of 2021 – changing Jean Todt, who had served for 12 years.

The subsequent election is on the finish of this 12 months, although no date has been confirmed.

Earlier within the 12 months, there was hypothesis that Susie Wolff, managing director of F1 Academy, may run for president, however these rumours had been shut down.

Ben Sulayem’s time period in workplace has been hit by a swathe of controversies. Most just lately, the FIA has seen a string of key figures leaving the governing physique. Robert Reid, deputy president for sport, left last month, stating “a basic breakdown in governance requirements” and “essential choices being made with out due course of”.

In February, a number of FIA members had been barred from a gathering of its world council after refusing to signal a non-disclosure settlement. Reid was a type of who refused to signal, alongside David Richards, the UK’s consultant. Richards subsequently issued an open letter in which it made clear that a growing number of people had concerns about the governance of the FIA. 

“The governance and constitutional organisation of the FIA is turning into ever extra opaque and concentrating energy within the fingers of the president alone,” Richards mentioned. “We can’t permit a shift of the ethical compass of our management to easily dismiss any request for transparency and open discourse.”

Ben Sulayem has not been embroiled in controversy with simply FIA members however has additionally upset drivers over his ban on swearing.

Rally drivers protested by refusing to give interviews in English, whereas F1 drivers wrote an open letter asking to be treated like adults.

Different controversies involving Ben Sulayem include the Emirati being investigated for potential meddling in a race result, one thing he was later cleared of. He acquired a ‘stop and desist’ letter from F1’s legal professionals over feedback he made on social media in regards to the worth of F1. Historic quotes additionally emerged of him making misogynistic remarks.

Mohammed ben Sulayem, FIA President

Picture by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Photos

On the finish of 2023, the FIA, below Ben Sulayem’s steering, additionally launched a compliance inquiry into Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff and his wife, Susie, on the grounds of a conflict of interest. The declare was withdrawn inside two days after all the different 9 groups issued a joint assertion stating they’d no drawback, and there may be now a authorized case in opposition to the FIA ongoing because of this.

Different figures are anticipated to emerge in a bid to run in opposition to Ben Sulayem.