26/06/2025 13:35
Carlos Sainz has admitted he is disappointed "as a motorsport fan"
that his father ruled out a bid for the FIA presidency. Having
voiced interest in challenging Mohammed Ben Sulayem for the
position earlier this year ahead of December's election, Sainz Sr
recently announced he would not pursue the role. Ben Sulayem is yet
to see a rival party launch an official bid in an attempt to deny
his re-election in six months' time. When asked if he was
disappointed over his father's decision, Sainz told media including
RacingNews365 : "As his son? No. As a motorsport fan, yes. "I think
many motorsport people would have liked to see my dad giving it a
go and seeing what he could have done for the sport. "But as his
son, and after evaluating with him, all the things he had to get
involved with and have to take care of to have any possibility of
running for that presidency, I think I understand why he's not
doing it and why he's letting it go. Ben Sulayem's presidency has
contained several controversies, including high-profile exits and
frustrations from drivers over restrictions regarding expressing
themselves during a race weekend. Sainz suggested it was the right
time for someone to offer a challenge to Ben Sulayem at the helm of
the FIA. "Never, say never," Sainz replied when asked if his father
could revisit a bid in the future. "I think the ideal time was now,
given the state of the situation that everything is seen. "I think
it was the ideal moment for him to go in and try to have a positive
effect. I don't know if that will be ideal in four or eight years'
time. "Never seen ever, but right now, for sure, he's not
interested anymore."
