Latest news with #SainzSr
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Sebastien Ogier throws support behind possible Carlos Sainz Sr FIA presidency bid
Sebastien Ogier has voiced support for Carlos Sainz Sr should the World Rally Championship legend decide to run for FIA president. As revealed by last week, two-time WRC champion Sainz Sr is seriously considering whether to formally stand for election against Mohammed Ben Sulayem in the race to become FIA president. Sainz Sr is gauging his level of support from the FIA's member automotive clubs before making a final decision. Advertisement The news of Sainz Sr's potential presidency bid follows another high-profile WRC figure in M-Sport-Ford founder Malcolm Wilson being nominated by Ben Sulayem to take over the governing body's deputy president for sport role, recently vacated by 2001 WRC co-driver champion Robert Reid. Interestingly, Sainz Sr drove for M-Sport in WRC (1996-1997 and 2000-2002) before returning to the operation that runs the factory Ford Rally-Raid programme last year. When asked about the possibility of Sainz Sr considering running from FIA president, Ogier was among a group of WRC drivers that indicated their support for Sainz. 'The only thing I can say is I have always had massive respect for Carlos and I like him a lot as a person as well,' Ogier told at Rally Portugal. 'If I'm honest I will be happy and will support him running for that if I can. I don't know what kind of power I have, but probably very little. I was happy to read this news, so let's see what happens.' Sébastien Ogier, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Sébastien Ogier, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota Racing Toyota Racing Advertisement Hyundai boss Cyril Abiteboul stopped short of offering his support to a potential Sainz run for FIA presidency, but admitted he would welcome an FIA presidency election that has several candidates. 'I think having multiple candidates is a good thing. In any election voters should be given options and given a choice, so I think it is good,' Abiteboul told 'Like our current president, Carlos is coming with a huge rally background and for our sport it is equally as good news as Mohammed Ben Sulayem running for presidency a few years back.' WRC drivers support FIA tweak to swearing penalties The WRC service park in Portugal has also reacted positively to confirmation that the FIA has revised the penalties in Appendix B of its International Sporting Code, reducing the potential fines for drivers caught swearing. Advertisement The improvements come after WRC drivers, through the new World Rally Drivers Alliance (WoRDA), urged the FIA for changes to be implemented after Hyundai's Adrien Fourmaux was fined for swearing during a televised stage-end interview at Rally Sweden. 'I haven't read exactly what changed there but it looks like there is some move that is positive and for once all the effort we have done has probably paid off as well,' Ogier said. 'I'm not sure if it is only thanks to WoRDA, but I'm sure WoRDA contributed to that. That's positive.' Read Also: Four big questions as WRC begins its gravel season in Portugal To read more articles visit our website.
Top Gear
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- Top Gear
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 Advertisement - Page continues below '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. Advertisement - Page continues below 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 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. Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox. Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox. '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 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.'
TimesLIVE
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Carlos Sainz Sr considering run for FIA president
Two-time FIA world champion Carlos Sainz Sr may be throwing his hat into the ring to become the motorsport governing body's president, according to a report by Current president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has served since 2021, but his four years have been beset by controversy. He has not officially declared himself available for re-election, but is widely known to be mounting a campaign. The selection will occur in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on December 12. Both Sainz Sr and Ben Sulayem are 63 years old and former competitors. Sainz Sr, who has won four Dakar Rally events, competed in the event in January. The elder Sainz is the father of Williams F1 driver Carlos Sainz. 'This possibility has been in my mind for some time now, not very deeply, but now I think it could be the right time in my career for me to take the step,' said Sainz Sr, as reported by the BBC. '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.' There have been no formal declarations by Sainz Sr, Ben Sulayem or any others at this time, though others are expected to run. Under Ben Sulayem's leadership, FIA has experienced a bevy of contentious situations. Robert Reid, the deputy president for sport, resigned in April, claiming 'a fundamental breakdown in governance standards'. That led former FIA CEO Natalie Robyn, who was forced out in the summer of 2024, to break her silence and concur with Reid's sentiments. Drivers have also been critical of Ben Sulayem's ban on swearing. Moreover, Susie Wolff, the CEO of F1 Academy for aspiring female drivers, filed a legal complaint against the FIA after a conflict of interest inquiry was lodged against her and husband Toto Wolff, president of Mercedes Motosport, but FIA closed it two days later.
