Source: REUTERS/Brian Snyder
[Saba Sports News] Carlos Sainz Sr., father of two-time WRC champion and Williams driver Carlos Sainz, has officially announced his candidacy for the presidency of the International Automobile Federation (FIA). The 61-year-old racing legend directly challenged the re-election plans of current president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who has faced criticism in recent years over sexist remarks and controversies regarding exorbitant valuations. In response, Carlos Sainz Sr. emphasized that he would not use the scandals of the incumbents to garner votes but instead focused on reform blueprints. He particularly mentioned listening to the voices of drivers, teams, fans, and manufacturers to strive to rebuild the FIA as a respected authority. Informants revealed that Carlos Sainz Sr. had secretly assembled a core advisory team including former F1 team managers, with his campaign platform focusing on reforming contentious judgment systems and commercial development models. Notably, a week before his announcement, several high-ranking officials including the chairman of the UK Motorsport Association suddenly resumed attending FIA meetings, seen as a direct challenge to the current leadership.