“Circumstances are not ideal” Carlos Sainz Sr. withdraws from the FIA presidential race – Carlos Sainz Sr. has officially ended speculation about his candidacy, publicly announcing that he will not be standing in the 12 December election in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. This clears the path for the incumbent, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, to seek re-election without a confirmed challenger, at least for now.
In a statement posted on social media on Wednesday, the two-time World Rally Champion explained his reasoning, citing the complexity of the FIA’s internal challenges and his personal and professional racing commitments. “After thoughtful reflection, I have concluded that the present circumstances are not conducive to laying the groundwork for my candidacy,” he wrote.
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Reflection leads to withdrawal
Sainz, who had been seriously considering running for the FIA presidency in recent weeks, said he had spent a great deal of time and energy trying to fully understand the inner workings of the Federation.
“I have worked hard these past months to gain an in-depth understanding of the situation at the FIA and the demands and complexities that come with such an important project,” he explained.
However, this process ultimately convinced him that now is not the right time to launch a campaign.
His Dakar and Ford commitments take priority
The 62-year-old Spaniard, who is currently contracted to Ford for the Dakar Rally project, also noted that any serious campaign for the presidency would conflict with his current commitments.
“I have realised that running for President properly would notably compromise my preparation for the Dakar, and I do not wish to weaken my commitment to Ford and my team,” he said.
‘These concerns have therefore led me to be realistic and abandon my FIA endeavour for now,” he added.
Sainz promises to continue supporting motorsport
Although he is stepping aside from the presidential race, Sainz made it clear that his commitment to motorsport remains as strong as ever. ‘My passion for serving and leading within the motorsport world hasn’t changed,’ he wrote. He acknowledged the need for ‘important changes’ within the FIA and expressed hope that these would be addressed in the near future. ‘I still believe the organisation needs important changes, and I am genuinely hopeful that these will be addressed in the upcoming years.’
Sainz emphasised the central role that racing and mobility have played in his life, promising to continue contributing in other ways.
“I will always support my sport and try to contribute meaningfully to improving mobility for road users around the world,” he said.
He ended with a message of thanks
He also took a moment to thank those who had encouraged him during his deliberations.
“I want to sincerely thank you all for the messages of support, encouragement, and advice that I have received over the past few weeks. They have reinforced my confidence to continue striving towards my present and future goals, and I am truly grateful,” Sainz concluded.
The election field narrows for Ben Sulayem
Following the announcement, Mohammed Ben Sulayem is the only declared candidate left in the running for the FIA presidency. The Emirati has led the organisation since the end of 2021, following Jean Todt’s departure. His tenure has been marked by several high-profile regulatory reforms and controversies, most notably concerning athlete conduct and the introduction of stricter penalty guidelines.
Ben Sulayem’s leadership has divided opinion in the paddock. While his emphasis on discipline and governance reform has been welcomed by some, others have expressed frustration over inconsistent stewarding and heavy-handed enforcement. A notable example is the athlete behaviour clause introduced under his leadership, which was criticised for being vague and rigid. Although this measure was eventually softened, it remains a symbol of the polarised views surrounding the current FIA regime.
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Was this a missed opportunity—or merely postponed?
Sainz’s potential candidacy had quietly gained momentum in recent weeks, particularly among motorsport insiders seeking a competitor-centric administration. His withdrawal will disappoint those who viewed him as a credible and experienced alternative to Ben Sulayem, given his pedigree as a rally champion, long-standing industry ambassador and father to current Ferrari Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz Jr.
However, Sainz Sr. hinted that this may not be the end of his political ambitions within the sport. By describing this as a decision ‘for now’, he leaves the door open to a future campaign under different circumstances.
For now, the FIA presidential election appears set to proceed without drama, unless a new candidate emerges in the coming weeks. With Sainz out of the running, attention now turns back to Ben Sulayem, who will be asked how he intends to address the ongoing criticism of his leadership, and whether he can rebuild the trust between the FIA and the various motorsport stakeholders in time for the vote later this year.
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