Vowles sees Carlos Sainz Sr. as a good candidate for FIA presidency
James Vowles, Williams’ boss, believes Carlos Sainz Sr. would be a good FIA president if he decided to run at the end of this year.
Sainz Sr. has confirmed that he is seriously considering running for the presidency of the governing body of motorsport, which would lead him to compete against current president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
Vowles, who signed Sainz’s son, Carlos Jr., from Ferrari this season, believes that the two-time rally champion could easily adapt to the position.
“I think he would be a good candidate simply because he has a couple of world championships, he has extensive experience in motorsport.”
James Vowles
When asked if he would be a good FIA president at a media event on Tuesday, Vowles said: “I think he would be simply because he has a couple of world championships, he has a broad experience in motorsport.”
“He understands single-seater racing and rallies. I believe he has already been president of some mobility areas in Spain, so this is probably not as big a step as some might think, but it’s up to him to decide if it’s the direction he wants to take.”
Some have suggested that a candidacy would present a significant conflict of interest, as the young Sainz competes in the FIA’s flagship series.
Sainz Sr. has already denied this suggestion, telling Autosport last week: “I have my history and people know me well enough to understand that this will not be a problem. Obviously, I will have to give up my role with Carlos and his career, but this is not a problem at all.”
Vowles, who has already dealt with the father-son combination when signing Sainz last year and then working with him this season, is sure that there would be no problem.
“I don’t think there would be any problem if he was successful, no,” said Vowles. “I mean, first of all, Carlos [Sr.] has 40 years of experience in this sport and every time you speak to him, if you get the chance, chat with him.”
“He has a really logical view of how the sport is built and how it has come to where it is at the moment and what can help around it. What I’ve noticed with Carlos [Sr.] here, is that he recognizes that his son is already his own man and doesn’t really interfere in anything.”
“What he really enjoys doing is just watching the cars go around the track and knowing that it was him who put it together to make it happen. Obviously, he has to move away from that a lot more if he decides to go in the direction of the FIA, but I am confident that we can isolate him enough so that I don’t think it will be a problem.”
Sainz Sr. won the World Rally Championship in 1990 and 1992.
He has also won the Dakar Rally four times, most recently in 2024.
