--- title: "Carlos Sainz Sr. Is ‘Confident’ He Could Do a ‘Good Job’ as FIA President" date: "2025-05-07" modified: "2025-05-07" authors: - name: "Jerry Perez" job_title: "Deputy Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jerry-perez" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/carlos-sainz-sr-is-confident-he-could-do-a-good-job-as-fia-president" categories: - "F1" - "News" - "Racing" --- # Carlos Sainz Sr. Is ‘Confident’ He Could Do a ‘Good Job’ as FIA President ![CHICHESTER, ENGLAND - JULY 12: Carlos Sainz during the Goodwood Festival Of Speed 2024 at Goodwood on July 12, 2024 in Chichester, England. (Photo by Matt Jelonek/Getty Images)]() *\Matt Jelonek\* The FIA will hold its next presidential election on Dec. 12, with current president [Mohammed Ben Sulayem]() confirming that he'll seek a second term. Susie Wolff had emerged as a possible candidate some time ago, but rumors dissipated due to a potential conflict of interest given her husband's role at Mercedes, leaving Ben Sulayem unchallenged. That changed Wednesday, however, when rally superstar Carlos Sainz Sr. confirmed that he's “currently in the process of figuring out how much support I will get from the community of motorsport." In an interview with *[Motorsport.com]()*, the WRC and Dakar champion confirmed that "now is the right time" to seek the presidency, while clearing up that the link to his son, current Williams [Formula 1]() driver Carlos Sainz, would not pose a conflict of interest. “There are plenty of reasons, but I have been driving for more than 40 years and this sport has given me everything,” he told *Motorsport*. “This possibility \[of being president\] has been in my mind for some time now, not very deeply, but now I think it could be the right time in my career for me to take the step. I’m confident I can do a good job and put together an excellent team to give back to the sport part of what it has given me." ![Williams' Spanish driver Carlos Sainz (L) and Carlos Sainz Sr. arrive for the third practice session ahead of the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir on April 12, 2025. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP)]() **Getty* GIUSEPPE CACACE* “I have accumulated a lot of experience in this sport throughout the years and I’m certain I can bring new and interesting things, to strengthen and develop the sport and the automobile world," added Sainz Sr. “I have my track record and people know me well enough to understand that \[Sainz Jr.\] will not be an issue. Obviously, I will have to step down regarding my role with Carlos and his career, but this is not an issue at all. He's not a child anymore, he has been in F1 for a decade now, and we both know that if I go ahead with this project, our relationship will change, of course." Ben Sulayem's reign has been tainted with controversy, starting with the controversial call of 2021's Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix, followed by rumors of [influencing the outcome]() of the Saudi Arabian GP to please major sponsor Aramco, and lately with the strict implementation of[ Appendix B](), which heavily fines any driver who uses a curse word during a race weekend. ![during the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit on November 27, 2016 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.]() **Getty* Mark Thompson* More recently, however, the FIA has come under fire for its closed-door meetings that were once open to various other positions within the organization in order to keep some sense of checks and balances. Ben Sulayem has personally fired several employees who are believed to have spoken against him or his measures, causing U.K. motorsports chief David Richards to [threaten legal action]() for the “erosion of accountability and good governance within the FIA.” The 63-year-old rally star would not comment on Ben Sulayem's controversies or the current state of affairs between him and F1 (and WRC) drivers, only adding that if he does run for president, "it will not be to fight anyone, it will be out of passion and love for motorsport." *Got a tip? Email us at tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Jerry is responsible for upholding The Drive's ethos as an audience-first, enthusiast-driven car blog that serves up industry-leading news, reviews, culture, and motorsport coverage. Overseeing a staff of writers and editors from his home base in Indianapolis, he helps curate the site's daily rundown, as well as its medium- and long-term content strategies. Jerry joined The Drive in 2018 as a writer and worked as news editor and managing editor before becoming the deputy in 2023. As a lifelong car enthusiast and racing fan, Jerry believes that all cars are cool, but the people behind the machines are even cooler. This belief often gives The Drive a slightly different focus from most other car sites, where we explore the humanity behind the machines. When he's not obsessing over the day's biggest stories or hanging out at a race track, Jerry can be found behind the wheel of a car, most likely sharing a laugh with his teenage son or daughter. ### Author social links [Instagram]()