Carlos Sainz at the head of the FIA? A credible alternative to Mohammed Ben Sulayem

What if the path to Mohammed Ben Sulayem's re-election as head of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) wasn't clear? The former Middle East rally champion (12 titles), who is preparing for elections on December 12, 2025, seemed to be the only declared candidate, until a surprising rumor emerged on May 7: Carlos Sainz Sr could run for his position

According to Sky Sports News, the 63-year-old "El Matador" is said to even have the support of many leaders in the world of motorsport. A senior official of a Formula 1 said that Carlos Sainz should be considered as " a very plausible candidate " to the presidency, and that his first function - that of father of the homonymous pilot, credited with 4 victories with Ferrari and current pilot Williams — should not be a hindrance, due to the Spaniard's impeccable integrity, he said. According to this source, the premier class of motorsport would not have to fear a potential conflict of interest if the former driver of rally came to lead the FIA.

However, despite a certain popularity linked to the man's rich career—two-time world rally champion, four-time Dakar winner—Carlos Sainz's rise to power will not be an easy task: Mohammed Ben Sulayem has strong support, particularly through representatives of National Sporting Authorities (ASN) around the world. Moreover, Carlos Sainz has no previous experience in the field of governance of automotive-related institutions.

Carlos Sainz faces a president with a contested political record

The next presidential election will be held on December 12 in Uzbekistan, during the FIA's annual general meeting. So far, apart from Ben Sulayem, who is seeking a second term, no other candidate has officially declared his candidacy.

President since 2021, the Emirati's record is controversial. Regularly in conflict with drivers in the main competitions overseen by the FIA, notably Formula 1 and WRC, his decisions often spark debate. Recently, his desire to limit swearing by athletes, by imposing heavy fines on them, sparked a standoff between athletes and the institution, before the president backpedaled to ease the rules.

Another worrying sign: several notable departures have recently affected the FIA. The most notable remains that of Robert Reid, former vice-president in charge of sport, who justified his resignation by his concerns about the evolution of governance. Over time, I have witnessed a steady erosion of the principles we promised to uphold. Decisions are being made behind closed doors, without regard for the structures and people the FIA ​​is meant to represent. ", declared the 2001 world rally champion co-driver, who joined the organization in 2021.

In this context, Carlos Sainz's candidacy could well threaten Ben Sulayem's ambitions. The Spaniard recently hinted that he was seriously considering the adventure. In Miami, during the sixth round of the 1 F2025 season, George Russell and Lewis Hamilton have also expressed their wish to be more involved in FIA decision-making. We don't really have decision-making power at the discussion table, and that, in my opinion, needs to change. " said the seven-time world champion.

Sharing power and including drivers in the decision-making process is not Mohammed Ben Sulayem's strong point, according to Robert Reid. For his part, Carlos Sainz, who has long been a driver himself, would probably be more conciliatory and would undoubtedly benefit from the support of many athletes. After his media presence, which has been mostly positive so far, the official announcement or abandonment of his candidacy will come later. Here's hoping the Spaniard tries his luck until the end, elections without real opposition are never good news...

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