Carlos Sainz Sr. Backs Son's FIA Presidential Bid: 'He'll Use Common Sense'
Carlos Sainz Sr. has confirmed he is considering a run for the FIA presidency later this year, a move his son, Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz Jr., fully supports, believing his father would bring crucial "common sense" to the role.
Sainz Sr. recently revealed his contemplation of challenging Mohammed Ben Sulayem for leadership of the motorsport governing body. The current FIA administration has faced scrutiny over various controversies, including high-profile departures and a public disagreement with F1 drivers regarding a swearing ban.
The FIA presidential election is scheduled for December. While no official candidates have yet emerged to oppose Ben Sulayem, Sainz Sr.'s potential candidacy is gaining traction.
Why it matters: Sainz Jr.'s endorsement highlights the potential appeal of his father's candidacy, particularly his reputation for practical decision-making, which could be seen as a corrective to the current administration's challenges.
"I'm his son, so I'm biased," Sainz Jr. admitted to media, including RacingNews365. "But speaking from the most objective position possible, nobody better comes to mind. He understands the roots of motorsport, from karting days with me, through the tough ladder of single-seaters, to 10 years in F1 and 40 years in rallying. This breadth of experience across so many motorsport disciplines, at the end of his racing career, makes him a strong candidate to give back to the sport."
Sainz Sr., 63, is the first prominent figure to express interest in the election. He mentioned that the idea originated from discussions with other paddock members who encouraged him to consider the role.
"Interestingly enough, it’s something that didn’t actually come from him. A lot of people in the paddock were putting it in his head, and little by little, he started considering it," Sainz Jr. explained. "He’s seriously considering it and evaluating all options, thinking about who he’d want on his team and how the elections work."
While acknowledging his father might not relish the political side of the presidency, Sainz Jr. expressed confidence in his father's approach.
"The politics is a negative side," Sainz Jr. said. "But I think if there's a guy who could remove politics from it, it could be my dad. He sticks to common sense and very basic rules of going about life. That’s why so many people went to him to push him to potentially do it."