121 replies to this topic

[midgrid]

Autosport understands that the former World Rally champion has been approached by senior executives within motorsport, asking him to challenge Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

[...]

Sources close to the former World Rally champion and Dakar winner said that several key figures from within the motorsport world have approached him about running against Ben Sulayem, the current FIA president.

[...]

If 63-year-old Sainz were to stand against Ben Sulayem, himself a former rally driver, sources said it would be to “present a positive and constructive program” to give the FIA delegates another option in the election for president.

https://www.autospor...ident/10720713/

[JHSingo]

Ordinarily I'd say anyone in that kind of role shouldn't be a direct relation of anyone still competing professionally, but hey, at this stage we're so desperate for anyone other than MBS that it's something I'm prepared to make an exception for. 

[DeKnyff]

I don't doubt that he has political ambitions, he had already announced that he could (would?) run for the presidency of Real Madrid in 2029. In fact, twenty years ago he run as VP in another candidature (they lost).

[jonklug]

Awesome news! Hope he goes through with it! 

[Kao18]

Perhaps Jos should also consider it.

[flingsofdeon]

If he runs I think his political nous will give him a damn good chance - would be great to see it

[pup]

Does Sainz have any qualifications, other than seemingly being a pretty nice guy? He certainly has the energy for it, and enough fame within the racing community to pose a challenge.

Not that I’m at all against the idea - I’ll definitely take the nice guy over whatever it is we have now.

[Marklar]

It says a lot about MBS that the father of one of the most political F1 drivers running for president is considered great news

[ArnageWRC]

Does Sainz have any qualifications, other than seemingly being a pretty nice guy? He certainly has the energy for it, and enough fame within the racing community to pose a challenge.

Not that I’m at all against the idea - I’ll definitely take the nice guy over whatever it is we have now.

 

How old are you? FFS the bloke is a motorsport legend - and was known for bringing in a new level of professionalism to the WRC.....From sponsorship, fitness, political savvy with teams, etc

 

He's considering running for the FiA Presidency, not the F1 President, as so many have assumed.

[ensign14]

New overtaking rules.  "You are not allowed to move in the braking zone, unless your name rhymes with Barlos Bainz."

[FLB]

It says a lot about MBS that the father of one of the most political F1 drivers running for president is considered great news

Not just that. The Spanish mobility club RACE is (or was?) one of MBS's biggest supporters, with the RAC and Motorsport UK.

[Ruusperi]

Great, he gets my (sympathy) vote!

How long before MBS starts a smear campaign against Sainz Sr, making him persona non grata for all FIA events.

[Gary Davies]

Oh when the Sainz

Come marching in

Oh when the Sainz come marching in

I want to be in that number

When the Sainz come marching in…

[noikeee]

How many penalties Sainz Jr gets the rest of the season?

[PayasYouRace]

Ordinarily I'd say anyone in that kind of role shouldn't be a direct relation of anyone still competing professionally, but hey, at this stage we're so desperate for anyone other than MBS that it's something I'm prepared to make an exception for.

There are so many people involved in FIA affiliated motorsport that it would be impossible to rule everyone out

Seemed to be fine when Jean Todt was president, despite his son being a team owner and driver manager.

[prty]

I think no family members of active drivers should be in that role. On the other hand, Herbert was a steward

[Anja]

I think no family members of active drivers should be in that role. On the other hand, Herbert was a steward

 

I think a president related to a driver would be less potentially problematic than one related to a team owner/principal. 

[mclarensmps]

Perhaps Jos should also consider it.

Nightmare fuel.

Sainz Sr. would be a great candidate though 

[Kao18]

How many penalties Sainz Jr gets the rest of the season?

 

This had me thinking, perhaps its a good idea to get rid of Warwick and co and let the drivers dads be the race stewards on a rotation basis so we get fair penalties at last.

[pup]

How old are you? FFS the bloke is a motorsport legend - and was known for bringing in a new level of professionalism to the WRC.....From sponsorship, fitness, political savvy with teams, etc

He's considering running for the FiA Presidency, not the F1 President, as so many have assumed.

Jeez man, chill. I’m well aware of his racing career - as much so as I am aware that this implies no skill set for running the FIA. He may have those skills in abundance, but being a great driver provides no evidence of that in itself. Its pretty clear I would likely support his candidacy, so why be so effin aggressive?

Edited by pup, 07 May 2025 - 14:43.

[IrvTheSwerve]

Don’t see the issue with the family relationship. It’s not like Sainz Sr is running for race director.

[juicy sushi]

The guy at the head of an organization needs to set and maintain the vibes, keep the spending out of the red, and make sure they stick to the direction they'd planned, while listening to the lower-level people doing the real work.  I think Carlos can do that.  Plenty of other people could too. 

[Sabre1977]

Not just that. The Spanish mobility club RACE is (or was?) one of MBS's biggest supporters, with the RAC and Motorsport UK.

 

RACE and RFEdA (Royal Spanish Automobile Federation).

 

Sainz Sr, like many Spanish motorsports stars (His Son, Alex Palou, Pepe Marti, Dani Sordo, Marc Marquez etc.) is member of RACC (Royal Automobile Club of Catalonia)

[IrvTheSwerve]

Perhaps Jos should also consider it.

Helmut Marko? 

[OvDrone]

Someone needs to barge in and save the WRC first!

[Myrvold]

The guy at the head of an organization needs to set and maintain the vibes, keep the spending out of the red, and make sure they stick to the direction they'd planned, while listening to the lower-level people doing the real work.  I think Carlos can do that.  Plenty of other people could too. 

 

He can take inspiration from MBS, and get a former rally co-driver to be the deputy. Sainz and Moya anyone?

 

Helmut Marko? 

 

I know it's a joke - but just in case. FIA is smarter than many countries, and have set a limit. If you're over 70, you cannot be a candidate.

[jonklug]

Seb Vettel would be the unifying choice, no?

[Baddoer]

Thats totally fine 

[Sterzo]

How many penalties Sainz Jr gets the rest of the season?

If he commits an infraction when his Dad's in charge, he'll have to go home and tidy up his bedroom.

[pup]

Arguably Todt had a similar conflict, with his son managing drivers during his presidency - and that seemed fine with everyone involved.

[Myrvold]

Arguably Todt had a similar conflict, with his son managing drivers during his presidency - and that seemed fine with everyone involved.

 

There was a lot of "FIArarri" and "What about his son" when he was elected.

With the exception of a certain Ferrari engine thingy, there wasn't much that happened that would question Todt's neutrality I think, it's probably more due to Todt being Todt.

[prty]

the father of one of the most political F1 drivers running for president is considered great news

Well, it's not as if there were no conflict of interests in the past



Didn't some of Leclerc wins come with an illegal engine for which there was no penalty at all, all under Todt's regime?

[prty]

So maybe not illegal?

So I guess then we both agree that if Sainz Sr. becomes president and Sainz Jr. doesn't get penalties with iffy maneuvers, it's because they were legal. Glad that you clarified it

[prty]

I never said anything remotely meaning that.

So double standards, gotcha

[Myrvold]

Well, it's not as if there were no conflict of interests in the past

Didn't some of Leclerc wins come with an illegal engine for which there was no penalty at all, all under Todt's regime?

 

Nothing was ever revealed, but wasn't the running theory that it wasn't legal, but they were unable to actually pin it properly, they just had a very strong feeling that something wasn't how it should be?

[SophieB]

It says a lot about MBS that the father of one of the most political F1 drivers running for president is considered great news

It’s beside the point I know but it always amuses me how all the drivers with reputations for being hugely political seem to get kicked out of all their teams.

[PlatenGlass]

I didn't particularly know Sainz had a reputation for being political, and I'm not entirely sure what it really means for a driver to be political.

[AlexS]

Scary, Sainz Sr. helped destroy Rally. 

[SophieB]

Arguably Todt had a similar conflict, with his son managing drivers during his presidency - and that seemed fine with everyone involved.

I don’t really think everyone was but what could we really do about it.

[Anderis]

One issue I see with this is that regardless of how honest and impartial Sainz Sr's work would be, whenever there would be a decision benefitting Sainz Jr, be it from the race director, the stewards or a general F1 rule change that some people may see as benefitting Sainz Jr's team, there would always be some people implying corruption or nepotism within the FIA ranks. People just love this kind of conspiracy theories.

[pdac]

They should insist that the president is French. They should pick someone from the political or financial sectors that has no prior experience of anything motorsport related. Right?

[jonpollak]

Put him and Ben in the Dakar and the winner gets the office.

 

Jp

[STIGG]

So the choice would be:

• A president that has already shown he wants to consolidate power and remove oversight, making decisions as he pleases and answering to no one.
• A candidate with a potential conflict of interest that, as a result, will have to be more open and transparent in how he runs the office, letting the relevant people run their respective parts of the organization without interfering.

Seems pretty clear cut to me.

[Ultravox]

I hope Sainz runs, a true motorsport legend should run the FIA not a wanna be dictator.

Edited by Ultravox, 07 May 2025 - 22:50.

[Tsarwash]

This had me thinking, perhaps its a good idea to get rid of Warwick and co and let the drivers dads be the race stewards on a rotation basis so we get fair penalties at last.

Have you had a recent head injury ?

[STIGG]

Have you had a recent head injury ?

Was that how you lost the ability to detect sarcasm?

[pup]

Now now boys, a good bonk on the noggin is just what you need some days before venturing in here.

[Showty]

I don't doubt that he has political ambitions, he had already announced that he could (would?) run for the presidency of Real Madrid in 2029. In fact, twenty years ago he run as VP in another candidature (they lost).

He did not announce that.

He was directly asked about it, and he just mentioned he was willing to help if asked about it by the club.

[Benchulo]

Nico Rosberg will be a good candidate, if he was interested.

[danmills]

Vettel or Nico would be exceptional, but perhaps they feel too young still?