Carlos Sainz Sr is considering running for the FIA presidency
Motorsport
Sainz Sr could challenge Mohammed Ben Sulayem, with an election set to take place in December this year Skip 1 photos in the image carousel and continue reading
Two-time World Rally champion and four-time Dakar Rally winner Carlos Sainz Sr is apparently considering running for FIA president, with an election set to take place in December.
'I believe it is probably the right time for me personally and professionally, and that is why I am considering it,' Sainz Sr told Motorsport.com.
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'I have been on the other side of motorsport and I know how important it is to listen to everybody – drivers, teams, fans, organisers, promoters, social, manufacturers. I truly think I can make that relationship much smoother and stronger.
'I would like to see the future of the FIA as an entity that is really appreciated and respected by everybody.' You might like
Of course, there have been a number of erm… controversies surrounding the FIA and its top brass in recent years, with current president Mohammed Ben Sulayem even accused of interfering with a stewards' decision to impact an F1 race result.
Ben Sulayem, who was elected in 2021, was cleared of any wrongdoing in that case by the FIA's Ethics Committee. However, there have been a number of high-profile resignations and sackings at the Federation in recent months, with deputy president for sport Robert Reid the latest to leave last month.
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Boss of the F1 Academy Susie Wolff has also taken legal action against the FIA after a controversial conflict of interest inqury into her and husband Toto Wolff. And drivers across multiple disciplines are currently at loggerheads with the governing body over its crackdown on swearing. Not all is rosy in the world of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile.
'I think obviously lately there has been some controversy, but I want to concentrate on myself. I leave the judgment to others,' said Sainz Sr in his interview with Motorsport.com.
The 63-year-old also made sure to note that there would be no conflict of interest with his son currently driving for Williams.
'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,' said Sainz Sr.
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'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.'
So, reckon the rally legend would be a good fit for big boss of motorsport's governing body? Sainz Sr also told Motorsport.com that he was 'currently in the process of figuring out how much support I will get from the community of motorsport'.
He said: 'I'm confident I can do a good job and put together an excellent team to give back to the sport part of what it has given me.
'I have accumulated a lot of experience in this sport throughout the years and I'm certain I can bring new and interesting things, to strengthen and develop the sport and the automobile world.'
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