‘Circumstances not ideal’ – Sainz rules out FIA presidency bid

In the upcoming election, rally legend Carlos Sainz has made a decision to withdraw from the race for president of the FIA.

The 63-year-old stated in May that he was considering the idea and that “the circumstances do not make it ideal to support my candidacy.”

Sainz claimed in a social media statement that he thought the FIA “still needs significant changes, which I sincerely hope will be addressed in the coming years.”

He added that a campaign would impede his Dakar Rally preparations for the following year.

Sainz will compete with Ford in the Saudi Arabia desert event in January after winning the Dakar for the fourth time in 2024.

His son, Carlos Sainz, competes for Williams in Formula 1.

Sainz Snr stated, “I do not want to sour my commitment to Ford and my team, and properly running for president would notably compromise my preparation for the Dakar.

Because of these concerns, I can no longer be realistic and withdraw from my FIA endeavor.

The current president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, whose tenure has been marred by controversy, is the only candidate to have been declared the winner.

For his involvement in a number of situations that have angered many Formula 1, from commercial rights holder Liberty Media to the drivers, the FIA statutes have been altered to appear to extend his control, along with a number of sackings of senior officials within the FIA.