Carlos Sainz Sr. Renounces FIA Presidential Candidacy: Is Ben Sulayem Without Rival?

Carlos Sainz Sr. Withdraws His Candidacy for FIA Presidency

The renowned rally driver, Carlos Sainz Sr., has decided not to compete against the current FIA president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, in the upcoming elections to lead the governing body of motorsport. After announcing his interest in May, the two-time world rally champion confirmed on Wednesday his decision not to run, arguing that “the current circumstances are not ideal for establishing the basis of my candidacy”.

I have worked hard these last few months to deeply understand the situation at the FIA and the demands and complexities that such an important project entails.

Carlos Sainz Sr.

Sainz also mentioned his ongoing commitment to the Ford team and the Dakar Rally as important factors in his decision. Sainz’s decision could be seen by some as a reaction to the recent statutory modifications approved by the FIA, which could hinder any attempt to challenge Ben Sulayem’s re-election.

With Sainz’s withdrawal, Ben Sulayem seems set to run unopposed in the elections. Since his election in 2021, the Emirati leader has been involved in several controversies, including disagreements with pilots on issues such as the ban on jewelry and the recent regulation on the use of inappropriate language. Robert Reid, a former ally who resigned as FIA Deputy Vice President in April, cited a “fundamental collapse in governance standards” in his resignation statement. Ben Sulayem has also overseen a period of growing tensions between the FIA and Formula 1 over various issues. He played a key role in bringing Andretti and General Motors together as a possible eleventh team, which generated discussions that ultimately led General Motors to fully commit to an entry: Cadillac will join the grid next year, with the commitment to produce American-made engines by the end of the decade.