Heading into the Imola GP, several drivers on the current F1 grid have shared their opinions on the possibility of Carlos Sainz Sr. running for FIA president later this year.
The next presidential election of the motorsport’s governing body will be held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on 12th December.
Incumbent Mohammed Ben Sulayem has not formally declared his intention to run again yet. However, he is expected to seek re-election despite his strife with drivers and stakeholders and the numerous high-profile departures that have marred his first term.
According to a confidential document seen by the BBC, the recent changes proposed by Ben Sulayem, if approved at the meeting of the FIA General Assembly next month, would bring forward the deadline for candidates for December’s presidential election. The proposed revisions would also give the Emirati not only the opportunity to prevent any candidate from running against him but also more control over the membership of the FIA Senate.
Given the sensitive nature of the upcoming FIA election, Carlos Sainz Sr.’s potential bid has garnered fervent attention since he is also the father of an active driver on the F1 grid. However, the four-time Dakar Rally winner dismissed any concerns about a conflict of interest and proclaimed that he would step down from the role he currently plays in his son Carlos Sainz Jr.’s career.
Speaking in their respective print media sessions ahead of the F1 Imola GP on Thursday, Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, Fernando Alonso, and Max Verstappen weighed in on whether Sainz Sr. is a suitable candidate to challenge Ben Sulayem for the FIA presidency in December.
Hamilton hesitant to comment
With regard to his thoughts on Carlos Sainz Sr. potentially running for FIA president, Lewis Hamilton was reluctant to convey his unequivocal support for the Spaniard during Thursday’s media session at the F1 Imola GP.
Stating that he is not too familiar with Sainz Sr., the Ferrari driver nonetheless expressed his admiration for the rally legend’s career and noted that he is a lovely person.
“I don’t know. I’ve only met him a couple of times.
“He’s a lovely guy. He’s got an amazing career. It’s incredible what he does to this day. That’s all I can comment on.”
Russell expresses wholehearted support
Meanwhile, George Russell, one of two directors of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, was effusive in support of Carlos Sainz Sr. potentially tossing his hat in the ring.
Highlighting his experience and how much respect the 63-year-old commands within the entire motorsport industry, the Mercedes driver added that Sainz Sr. is a very sensible choice despite his initial surprise.
“Yeah, I mean Carlos Sr. is a really extremely respected individual within the whole motorsport industry, not just Formula 1, not just rallying. He has so much experience in this world.
“He, of course, would be a fantastic candidate if that’s what he wished to do.
“So yeah, I was quite surprised when I saw it initially, but when you think about it properly, I think it makes a lot of sense.”
Russell foresees no conflict of interest and believes it could be a brilliant opportunity
Asked if he foresees any conflict of interest with Carlos Sainz Jr. being the co-director of GPDA and his father potentially assuming the top position in FIA—motorsport’s sole international governing body, Russell immediately dismissed all concerns in his media session ahead of the F1 Imola GP.
Emphasising how previous presidents have primarily worked in the background and that the responsibility of formulating the rules rested on FIA’s technical personnel, Russell made it evident that he is dissatisfied with Mohammed Ben Sulayem interfering with the regulations and propelling himself to the forefront of the sport.
“No, not at all.
“I think you’re so far removed from a technical standpoint. It’s down to the technical people within the FIA to be the rule makers and the President in years gone by has probably been far less involved than what we’ve seen recently and far less visible.
“We always knew who the President of the FIA was, especially with Jean Todt, but you’re working in the background, you’re not working in the forefront. So I don’t see there ever being a conflict.”
Furthermore, with Sainz Jr. sharing his in-depth knowledge of F1 from a driver’s perspective and Sainz Sr. doing the same with decades of experience in other categories, the Brit remarked that motorsport in general would benefit massively from this collaborative venture.
“If anything, I think it could only benefit the sport having Carlos [Sainz Jr.] with the inside knowledge of Formula 1 from a driver’s perspective and then Carlos Sr.’s knowledge from motorsport generally. It could be a brilliant recipe.”
Alonso confident that Sainz Sr. will be a great candidate as a fellow driver
Revealing that he has already spoken to Carlos Sainz Sr. regarding his potential bid for FIA presidency, Fernando Alonso commented on how he could positively contribute to motorsport with years of experience and the camaraderie he has established with a vast network of people.
Stating that Sainz Sr. could bring a fresh approach to the table, Alonso enthusiastically endorsed his candidacy. He elaborated that as a fellow driver in motorsport, he expects the 63-year-old to be mindful of drivers’ needs in various categories of the sport.
“Yeah, I read the news. And I actually spoke with Carlos [Sainz Sr.], I think, on Sunday for different topics. And yeah, we spoke about this thing.
“Obviously, he has a lot of experience in motorsport. He knows a lot of people in motorsport as well and what maybe the sport needs in this side of the barrier, let’s say.
“So it could be a fresh approach. But at the same time, this is a FIA thing. The whole sport needs to agree on something and see what happens.
“But obviously, he will always be a great candidate because he knows what the sport needs from this side. That is what we like, you know, the drivers.”
Verstappen concurs that Sainz Sr. would be a better president
In terms of his opinion on Carlos Sainz Sr. potentially running against Ben Sulayem for FIA president, Max Verstappen unmistakably agreed with a journalist during his F1 Imola GP media session that the two-time World Rally champion would make a better president than the current one.
Moreover, dismissing the claims of possible conflict of interest, the reigning world champion stated that he is confident about the professional integrity of the Spaniard.
“Yeah, I read about that a little bit. I do think that he’s very well respected in the world here and in the rally world.
“Of course, people always say it’s conflicting with his son. But I think he’s professional enough to keep that separated from each other. So yeah, I think it would be a great addition to run for president.
“Yeah, you can feel that in yourself [that he would be a better president]. It’s too good for me to comment on that.”
