Carlos Sainz has cautioned his father, Carlos Sainz Snr, about the challenging politics involved in running for the FIA presidency, as the rally driver contemplates a possible bid to oppose the current president Mohammed Ben Sulayem in this year’s elections. Despite the complexities, Sainz Snr is seriously considering entering the race, even as reports suggest Ben Sulayem is attempting to strengthen his position by proposing statute changes designed to discourage opposition.
Following rumors of his candidacy, Carlos Sainz Jr. spoke publicly for the first time about his father’s potential run. While supporting his father’s ambition, he also highlighted the difficulties that lie ahead due to the political nature of the role.
Carlos Sainz Jr. explained.
Sainz Jr. emphasized that his father had yet to assemble a team to back his potential campaign.
he added. Yet, the senior Sainz’s straightforward approach to life might be both his greatest strength and his biggest challenge in the political arena.
said Carlos Jr., acknowledging why many have encouraged his father to stand for the presidency.
When asked whether his father would make a better FIA president than Mohammed Ben Sulayem, Carlos Sainz Jr. admitted his bias but stressed his father’s unparalleled understanding of motorsport.
he said.
Carlos Jr. went on to highlight his father’s wide-ranging experience across motorsports and his ongoing work in Spain, which provides him with diverse insights and connections.
he explained.
Though recognizing the complexity of the FIA presidency race, Carlos Sainz Jr. concluded by reaffirming his father’s suitability for the role.
he said.
As the FIA presidency election approaches, the potential candidacy of Carlos Sainz Snr highlights the intense political landscape within motorsport governance. The outcome holds significant implications for the future direction of the FIA, particularly in balancing the interests of diverse motorsport disciplines and addressing calls for reform. Carlos Sainz’s warning to his father reflects an urgent awareness of the challenges ahead, underscoring how passion for sport often intersects with complex organizational dynamics at the highest levels.
