According to reports Carlos Sainz Sr has been widely touted to be a potential candidate in FIA presidential election 2025 as several influential motorsport figures back his bid.
The 63-year-old and father to Williams F1 driver Carlos Sainz Jr is reportedly considering a bid to unseat incumbent president Mohammed Ben Sulayem whose tenure since 2021 has been marked by controversy, internal strife, and mounting calls for reform.
Carlos Sainz Sr’s possible candidacy in the upcoming FIA presidential election 2025 arrives at a moment of profound uncertainty and dissatisfaction within the governing body.
Over the past year, the organization has faced a series of high-profile resignations including that of deputy president for sport Robert Reid who cited a “fundamental breakdown in governance standards” and criticized the increasing centralization of authority within the president’s office.
This unrest has fueled speculation about the need for a new direction at the top of motorsport’s most powerful governing body, and Sainz Sr is being seen by many as a figure capable of restoring trust, transparency, and unity.
Sources close to the 63-year old rallying legend told Motorsport Network that he has been approached by influential figures across multiple motorsport disciplines urging him to challenge Ben Sulayem in the December 12 election in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
While he has not yet made a formal declaration, discussions are reportedly well underway and the motorsport world is watching closely for an official announcement.
Insiders suggest that Sainz Sr would campaign on a platform of “positive and constructive reform,” aiming to offer FIA delegates a clear alternative focused on restoring transparency, improving governance and fostering greater engagement with all stakeholders in the sport.
Sainz Sr’s credentials are difficult to match. As a two-time World Rally Champion and Dakar Rally winner, he is one of the most decorated rally drivers in history with a career that spans more than three decades at the highest levels of motorsport.
His reputation for integrity, diplomacy and mentorship is well established and he is widely respected not only for his on-track achievements but also for his contributions off the circuit.
His deep-rooted relationships across rallying, Formula 1 and other motorsport disciplines position him as a unifying figure at a time when the FIA is grappling with internal divisions and external criticism.
The prospect of Carlos Sainz Sr taking the helm at the FIA has been met with cautious optimism by many within the sport. Executives from various motorsport categories reportedly support his potential candidacy, viewing him as a symbol of stability and legacy who could help heal the rifts that have emerged under Ben Sulayem’s leadership.
Concerns about a possible conflict of interest given his son’s active role as a F1 driver have been largely dismissed by teams who believe Sainz Sr’s personal integrity and professional approach would ensure impartial governance.
Meanwhile, Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s presidency which began at the end of 2021 has been tumultuous. His administration has faced relentless scrutiny over issues ranging from governance and transparency to controversial decisions that have alienated key stakeholders within the FIA and the wider motorsport community.
MORE FORMULA 1:
Reason behind Oliver Oakes Alpine F1 exit revealed as Flavio Briatore quashes rumours
Audi F1 Project CEO Adam Baker leaves in latest leadership changes
The departure of senior officials, public disputes over confidentiality agreements, and high-profile investigations-such as the compliance inquiry involving Toto and Susie Wolff-have all contributed to a perception of instability and opacity at the top of the organization.
On the other hand Sulayem’s swearing ban resulted to WRC drivers protest by refusing to give interviews in English while F1 drivers wrote an open letter to the FIA asking to be treated like adults.
Critics including Motorsport UK chairman David Richards have openly challenged the concentration of power and the lack of open discourse within the FIA, further intensifying calls for change.
The FIA presidential election 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most consequential in the organization’s history. While Carlos Sainz Sr is currently the most prominent name under consideration, other potential candidates have also been mentioned including managing director of the all-female F1 Academy Susie Wolff.
