Highlights: Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, Stage 5
Watch highlights from Stage 5 of the 2025 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, part of the World Rally-Raid Championship.
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New York Times
15-05-2025
- New York Times
Carlos Sainz says there would be no conflict of interest if his father runs for FIA presidency
Williams driver Carlos Sainz denied the suggestion that there would be any conflict of interest if his father, Carlos Sainz Sr., ran for the presidency of the FIA. Mohammed Ben Sulayem is up for re-election at the end of this year and his term as FIA president (dating back to 2021's end) has been filled with controversy. A credible candidate has yet to step up to the plate to challenge Ben Sulayem, but last week, Sainz Sr., who is widely considered to be one of motorsport's greatest rally drivers as a double world champion, revealed to that he is considering it. He denied there would be any conflicts of interest with his son racing in Formula One and also working as a director of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association. Advertisement '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,' Sainz Sr. said to '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.' The younger Sainz reiterated a similar point Thursday at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, saying how he's 'been trying to think (of) scenarios where it could, but I actually don't see any way how that could be seen.' He claimed both sides would be 'extremely careful,' before adding, 'the last thing that I want is my or his image or career to be damaged by that situation.' At this point and time, the 63-year-old two-time World Rally champion is not even officially running for president. He is looking into the matter after a number of people in the F1 paddock suggested the idea to him, Sainz Jr. said Thursday in Imola. But now, Sainz Sr. is considering who he would want on his election team and gain a better understanding about how the FIA elections work, his Williams driver son later added. Before announcing any FIA presidency bid, Sainz Sr. would have to navigate complex workings within the governing body regarding its rules on who can stand in such elections. The BBC reported this week that Ben Sulayem is also moving to tighten these procedures even further, which could potentially bar any opposition candidate from running against him. But considering how the FIA is the governing body of global motorsport, his father's breadth of experience does make him 'a very optimal candidate,' Sainz claimed. Sainz Sr. has competed in rallying for over 40 years, making his start in 1980. He has won the Dakar Rally four times, most recently with Audi last year, and won the World Rally Championship in 1990 and 1992. But in addition to building his legendary career, Sainz Sr. has been involved in his son's career progress since he was starting out as a young go-kart racer. Advertisement 'I'm biased, but I just honestly speak from the most objective position possible. (It) doesn't come to my head (that) anyone that has lived through all the karting days with his son and knows the roots of motorsport in go-karting (wouldn't be a suitable FIA president candidate),' Sainz said Thursday. 'He did four or five years of single-seaters with me, knowing how tough, expensive, difficult that ladder is. He's done 10 years in Formula One with me.' Sainz, who made his F1 debut with what was then called Toro Rosso in 2015, later touched on how his dad has also been involved in multiple different areas of motorsport – including his rallying career and 'mobility work in Spain.' If Sainz Sr. was to run, 'this isn't probably as big a step as some may think,' Williams team principal James Vowles said earlier this week, after touching on Sainz Sr.'s career to date. As the rally legend comes to the end of his racing career, he's 'trying to find a way to give back to motorsports,' his son said Thursday. 'He loves motorsport, he loves racing and he sees there an opportunity to put an end to his racing career but still do something further and find ways to give back to motorsport and give back to the FIA – an entity that he has a lot of respect for for all his years and he knows what the FIA has done for the last 20-30 years to improve safety in motorsport, to improve everyone's life here in motorsport. So he feels like he could give back and that motivates him.' The one part of the job that Sainz Sr. may not enjoy would be the political battles, Sainz said. After all, F1 alone is known as the Piranha Club, and that's just one of the seven world championships the FIA oversees. 'But I think that if there's a guy who could remove politics from it, it could also be my dad because he sticks to common sense and very basic rules of going about life and things,' Sainz said. 'And I think that's why so many people went to him, to push him, maybe, to potentially do it.' Additional reporting by Luke Smith
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Yahoo
Exclusive: 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 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'. Advertisement 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. Carlos Sainz Sr and his son in 2023 Carlos Sainz Sr and his son in 2023 Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images 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.' Advertisement 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. Read Also: Who is potential FIA presidential candidate Carlos Sainz Sr? Advertisement '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.' 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, organizers, promoters, social, manufacturers. I truly think I can make that relationship much smoother and stronger,' he said. Advertisement '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. To read more articles visit our website.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Yahoo
Exclusive: Carlos Sainz Sr considering run for FIA president
Carlos Sainz Sr is considering running against Mohammed Ben Sulayem to be the next FIA president. Sources close to the former World Rally champion and Dakar winner said that several key figures from within the motorsport world have approached him about running against Ben Sulayem, the current FIA president. Advertisement understands that Sainz, the father of Williams F1 driver Carlos Sainz, is now seriously considering whether to stand against Ben Sulayem, whose tenure as president of F1's governing body has been marred by controversy. If 63-year-old Sainz were to stand against Ben Sulayem, himself a former rally driver, sources said it would be to 'present a positive and constructive program' to give the FIA delegates another option in the election for president. Ben Sulayem, also 63, was elected president at the end of 2021 – replacing Jean Todt, who had served for 12 years. The next election is at the end of this year, though no date has been confirmed. Advertisement Earlier in the year, there was speculation that Susie Wolff, managing director of F1 Academy, could run for president, but those rumours were shut down. Ben Sulayem's term in office has been hit by a swathe of controversies. Most recently, the FIA has seen a string of senior executives leaving the governing body. Robert Reid, deputy president for sport, left last month, stating 'a fundamental breakdown in governance standards' and 'critical decisions being made without due process'. Mohammed ben Sulayem, FIA President, Nikolas Tombazis, FIA Single Seater Director Mohammed ben Sulayem, FIA President, Nikolas Tombazis, FIA Single Seater Director Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images Advertisement Ben Sulayem has not been embroiled in controversy with just FIA members but has also upset drivers over his ban on swearing. Rally drivers protested by refusing to give interviews in English, while F1 drivers wrote an open letter asking to be treated like adults. Other controversies involving Ben Sulayem include the Emirati being investigated for potential meddling in a race result, something he was later cleared of. He received a 'cease and desist' letter from F1's lawyers over comments he made on social media about the value of Formula 1. Historical quotes also emerged of him making misogynistic remarks. Advertisement At the end of 2023, the FIA, under Ben Sulayem's guidance, also launched a compliance inquiry into Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff and his wife, Susie, on the grounds of a conflict of interest. The claim was withdrawn within two days after all of the other nine teams issued a joint statement stating they had no problem, and there is now a legal case against the FIA ongoing as a result. Other figures are expected to emerge in a bid to run against Ben Sulayem. To read more articles visit our website.
