F1 driver's dad considering run for FIA presidency opposing Mohammed ben Sulayem
Mohammed ben Sulayem is currently unopposed in the FIA presidential election due to take place later this year, but it seems he could be challenged by a motorsport legend
Carlos Sainz Snr could take on Mohammed ben Sulayem with a bid to become FIA president. The rally legend and father of Williams F1 driver Carlos Sainz Jnr is said to be considering running for the post after being approached by several figures keen to oust the incumbent leader.
Ben Sulayem has not been a popular figure among many in the Formula 1 world and beyond. And he has further antagonised people this year with harsh swearing punishments which have angered drivers not just in F1 but in other FIA-sanctioned series.
Several key figures have also departed the FIA, notably those who have spoken out against the president or not been a strong follower of his. That includes his deputy, Robert Reid, whose departure was announced last month.
But despite his unpopularity, Ben Sulayem remains unopposed for the next FIA presidential election. It is due to take place later this year with the current president coming to the end of his four-year term, though an exact date has yet to be confirmed.
According to Motorsport.com, Sainz Snr is considering running to provide an alternative candidate for those who do not want to vote for Ben Sulayem. The report quotes sources as having confirmed that key figures in motorsport are keen to back the Spanish former World Rally Champion.
But it is understood that he is not likely to be the only one to run against Ben Sulayem. That is despite Susie Wolff, the managing director of F1 Academy and wife of Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, dismissing speculation that she could make a bid for the presidency.
The Wolffs have an ongoing legal case against the FIA after, in 2023, the governing body announced an inquiry over a 'conflict of interest' between their roles. Two days later it was withdrawn after a remarkable show of togetherness from every team in F1, each of which issued statements denying that they had asked for sure a probe.
Sainz Snr is a hugely respected figure in the motorsport world owing to his success in rallying. Aged 63, he has continued to drive at a high level and even won the prestigious Dakar Rally in 2024 at the age of 61, just one year on from breaking his back in a horrific crash at the same event.
He is regularly seen in the F1 paddock to support his son, Carlos Jnr, who this year races for Williams. He had previously spent four seasons driving for Ferrari and previously represented Toro Rosso, Renault and McLaren.
But it will be tough for any challenger to remove Ben Sulayem. Despite the president's unpopularity among many federations, he retains the backing of a lot of them, particularly those which do not play a big role in motorsport on the global stage.
But the way FIA presidential elections work means those smaller federations have exactly the same voting power as the larger ones, such as Britain's Motorsport UK. Last year, Ben Sulayem said he would welcome a challenge from anyone who wanted to run against him.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
3 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Real Madrid set to HIJACK Arsenal's Martin Zubimendi transfer with star ‘attracted' to idea of joining La Liga giants
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) REAL MADRID are reportedly trying to hijack Arsenal's deal to sign Martin Zubimendi in a move that could scupper the Gunners' summer plans. Arsenal were thought to be leading the race for Zubimendi's signature with reports claiming that a deal was on the brink of completion. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Real Madrid could hijack Arsenal's move for Martin Zubimendi Credit: Getty Mikel Arteta is keen to bring Zubimendi to the Emirates stadium with the hopes of strengthening his midfield options and replacing Jorginho - who has left to join Flamengo. Arsenal are thought to have agreed to pay Zubimendi's £51m release clause to pry him away from Real Sociedad. However, according to Spanish outlet AS, Real Madrid are planning a "final attack" to try and sign him instead, with new boss Xabi Alonso keen on a new central midfielder. It's claimed that Zubimendi is "attracted" to the idea of playing for Madrid, while he is also said to prefer staying in Spain next year. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL STAR'S BATTLE Michail Antonio shares footage of himself learning to walk again after crash It had seemed all-but-confirmed that he would be heading to Arsenal, but the news of Madrid's last ditch attempt could spell trouble for the North London club. Liverpool looked set to sign Zubimendi themselves last summer, but after long talks and drawn out negotiations he ultimately snubbed the Reds to stay with Sociedad. Zubimendi is reportedly keen on the idea of playing under Alonso, who he worked with at Real Sociedad B. Arsenal need reinforcements in midfield with Jorginho's confirmed exit and Thomas Partey yet to sign a contract extension with the club and his current deal expiring this month. 3 Join SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plus in-depth coverage and exclusives from The Emirates Zubimendi didn't rule out a move elsewhere when asked about his future while on international duty with Spain. He said: "Of course there are options, but it's true that it looks like it's going to be a different, long summer, and I don't know how it's going to end. David Raya reveals Arsenal career changed overnight following two-hour meeting "Right now, thinking about it isn't my priority. I'm here with the national team, which is already quite demanding, and if I have to say something, then I will." Asked about playing under Alonso and the influence he has had on him, Zubimendi replied: "I've always said that he was my idol and that for me it was a stroke of luck that he was able to coach me in the reserve team in a very important year. "[But] I don't like to talk about those hypotheses, I like to talk about the present. "I think it would be disrespectful to answer a question [about a Madrid move] while I'm in the national team, and facing such an important competition." Zubimendi scored two goals and registered one assist in 36 La Liga appearances for Sociedad this season. Meanwhile Arsenal look set to complete the £5m signing of Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea, with the goalkeeper arriving to provide backup for David Raya. A striker also remains a top priority for Arteta and his team, with RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko and Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres admired by the Gunners hierarchy.
Wales Online
5 hours ago
- Wales Online
How to watch Portugal v Spain on TV tonight for free - channel and kick-off time
How to watch Portugal v Spain on TV tonight for free - channel and kick-off time Portugal and Spain meet in the final of the Nations League this evening and you can watch it for free Lamine Yamal of Spain will be hoping for more celebrations against Portugal (Image: Stefan Matzke - sampics/Getty Images ) As this edition of the Nations League draws to a close, we are left with a mouth-watering final featuring two of the biggest names in international football, Portugal and Spain. Cristiano Ronaldo led his side past Germany in the semis, scoring the eventual winner that won the Portuguese the game, 2-1, beating the Germans on their own patch. As for Spain, they came through one of the most exciting games in recent international football history, with Didier Deschamps' France losing 5-4 after being four goals down at two different points in the match. Kylian Mbappe and Co couldn't get past the Spanish armada, who sail onto the final at the Allianz Arena, Germany. Lamine Yamal proved his talent once again, scoring a brace to help his side reach the final stage of the tournament. Les Bleus will play fellow semi-final losers Germany in the third-fourth place play-off. Article continues below Here is everything you need to know about the final tonight.... What time does the match kick-off? Portugal v Spain kicks-off at 8pm (UK time) on Sunday, June 8, at the Allianz Arena, Germany, where Portugal's previous match also took place. How to watch the match? The final of the Nations League will be free on ITV and ITV X, with the coverage of the game starting at 7.30pm. Portugal v Spain team news With no new injury concerns for Roberto Martinez, the Portuguese side is expected to remain fairly similar after their win against Germany. The manager chose a system based on width and pace, picking the likes of Francisco Trincao and Pedro Neto to aid Ronaldo, instead of a more balanced line with Diogo Jota and Goncalo Ramos. As for Luis de La Fuente, the main question before the semi-final was the personnel used in the centre-back partnership. Article continues below The Spaniard chose to go with Robin Le Normand and Dean Huijsen, with Barcelona's Pau Cubarsi left out. After that defence shipped four goals against the French, perhaps the 63-year-old manager might alter the backline, or decide that he wants to keep a winning team unchanged.
Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Furious Barcelona star 'ready to go to war' as Arsenal target nears transfer
Barcelona may have a difficult task in persuading Marc-Andre ter Stegen to depart the club this summer even with the signing of Espanyol star Joan Garcia expected soon Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen is prepared to go to war with his club - in order to remain at the Nou Camp. The Germany international and Barca captain is said to be outraged over attempts to force him out of the club. Ter Stegen is still under contract until 2028 but is refusing to be pushed out of the Catalan side despite an apparent insistence from club chiefs. The 33-year-old missed much of last season through injury, making just nine appearances, and the Blaugrana are focusing their efforts on signing another shotstopper. Joan Garcia, who has been linked to Arsenal and Manchester United, is top of their list and nearing a move. Ter Stegen was unable to claim his spot upon his return in 2024/25, from Wojciech Szczesny, as Hansi Flick's first choice. Now it is claimed Barcelona president Joan Laporta has told members of the board that Ter Stegen must be sold with Garcia's arrival. It has even been touted that the La Liga champions have offered to terminate the ex-Borussia Monchengladbach star's contract if they pay him a year's salary. Spanish outlet Sport claim that Ter Stegen has been 'deeply hurt' and believes that there has been 'direct attack' on his 'professional character' in order to force him out of the club. The Germany international is reported to accuse figures of purposefully leaking information to damage his reputation. Sporting director Deco will be tasked with explaining Barcelona's stance to Ter Stegen and his camp in the search for an amicable resolution. But, fully recovered after last season, the goalkeeper is keen to fight for a starting spot if Flick allows it. The Spanish giants hold on to hope that Ter Stegen's World Cup aspirations will see him unwilling to risk not playing next term however. The veteran has been left aghast and outraged at being left out in the cold after shortening his recovery from injury as first-choice goalkeeper and captain. With Garcia's arrival yet to be confirmed and Szczesny yet to commit to a two-year deal from Barcelona, Ter Stegen was quick to point out that he is currently one of just two goalkeepers set to be at Barca next season. "No one has told me about this, so I don't know the situation," Ter Stegen said when asked about his future. 'I'm not worried," he added. "I know that I will be at Barcelona next year. "If I remember correctly, and if no news has happened in the last few hours, we only have two goalkeepers for next season, Inaki [Pena] and me."
