Carlos Sainz Sr., father of Williams driver Carlos Sainz Jr, confirmed after the Miami Grand Prix that he is considering running for the presidency of the FIA. Until now, the current president, the controversial Mohammed Ben Sulayem, was the only candidate. Sainz has received a lot of support from the Formula 1 community, not least because as a celebrated rally driver, he is closely connected to motorsport. Max Verstappen is also said to support Sainz in this matter.
“I’ve read a bit about it,” Verstappen responded to Carlos Sainz’s potential candidacy. “I think he is highly respected in the Formula 1 world, but certainly in rallying as well. Of course, people say that it leads to a conflict of interest because of his son, but I think he is professional enough to keep that separate.” Carlos Sainz Jr. is a driver for the Williams team and holds a significant position within the GPDA, the union for Formula 1 drivers.
Better than Ben Sulayem?
“It would be a great addition if he (Sainz Sr.) runs for the presidency,” concluded a positive Verstappen. Finally, he was asked if he would consider Sainz a better president than the current Mohammed Ben Sulayem. “You should have known that you’re not going to get an answer to that,” he responded with a laugh. “It would be foolish for me to comment on that.”
Since his appointment in 2021, Sulayem has not exactly endeared himself to others. His approach – from limiting accountability to dismissing FIA executives and introducing new rules of conduct for drivers – has significantly damaged his reputation. In recent months, several influential FIA members have resigned. Former Vice President Robert Reid spoke of a ‘fundamental breach in governance norms’.
