Sainz Sr throws in the towel: Ben Sulayem set for unopposed re-election

Carlos Sainz Sr announced that he ultimately decided not to run against Mohammed Ben Sulayem in the FIA presidential election scheduled for December 2025. A decision that leaves the incumbent president without a declared opponent five months before the vote, in a context where recent statutory changes have complicated access to candidacy.

A renunciation with multiple motivations

In a message posted on his social networks, the double world rally champion justified his decision with several factors. « I have worked hard over the past few months to thoroughly understand the situation within the FIA as well as the demands and complexity involved in a project of such importance. After deep reflection, I have come to the conclusion that the current circumstances are not ideal for laying the foundation of my candidacy », wrote the 63-year-old Spaniard.

Sainz Sr also discusses his personal sporting commitments: « I realized that a serious candidacy for the presidency would significantly compromise my preparation for the Dakar, and I do not wish to weaken my commitment to Ford and my team. » The driver indeed remains committed to the American team for the prestigious rally-raid in January 2026.

But behind these official reasons, the reference to the current circumstances seems to allude to the recent statutory changes adopted by the FIA. These changes, revealed by the BBC in a confidential document, strengthen Ben Sulayem’s control over the electoral process and introduce new eligibility criteria that could have complicated Sainz’s candidacy.

Have statutory obstacles discouraged Sainz?

The new rules proposed by Ben Sulayem notably include the requirement that there must be nothing in the candidates’ backgrounds that questions their professional integrity. This provision, combined with the FIA’s code of ethics on conflicts of interest, could theoretically have been used against Sainz due to his son Carlos Jr’s career in Formula 1.

The Williams pilot’s father had dismissed these concerns in his first statements last May: “I have proven myself and people know me well enough to know that it will not pose any problem,” he had declared. He specified that if he pursued his candidacy to the end, he would completely disengage from his son’s career: “The FIA is a very serious entity, there will be no conflict,” reminding that Sainz Jr was no longer a child, that he had been in F1 for ten years, and that their relationship would naturally evolve if this candidacy were successful.

For his part, the former Ferrari driver had supported this position: « Anyone who knows my father or knows me personally knows that we would never do anything that could create a conflict of interest. »

Moving the deadline for candidacy declarations from 21 to 49 days before the election also represented an additional constraint. This new schedule would have given challengers less time to assemble their complete team while providing more opportunities for the nominations committee, controlled by Ben Sulayem, to review the candidates’ files and potentially reject them.

Ben Sulayem towards an assured victory

This resignation leaves Mohammed Ben Sulayem in a particularly favorable position to obtain a second term. No other candidate has yet announced their intention to run, despite the controversies that have marked the presidency of the Emirati since his election in December 2021.

Ben Sulayem’s mandate has been marred by several internal crises. The sudden departure of Robert Reid, vice-president for sport and a loyal lieutenant of the president, last April, particularly caught people’s attention. Reid denounced decisions made behind closed doors and a continuous erosion of the principles he believed he was defending.

More recently, Sara Mariani, director of sustainability, diversity, and inclusion, left her position after her role was eliminated in a restructuring. Her departure was accompanied by a scathing statement on the existence of a life where women in leadership positions can thrive, feel valued, and respected, a phrase that questions the internal culture of the FIA, especially regarding women.

This departure echoes that of Natalie Robyn, the first woman to hold the position of CEO of the organization, who also left her role after only 18 months. Although her resignation was officially presented as a mutual agreement, Robyn later revealed that she had worked under difficult circumstances and that professional processes had not been respected, statements widely interpreted as a critique of governance under the current president’s leadership.

Supporters rallying

Despite these upheavals, Ben Sulayem maintains solid support. A letter signed by 36 racing clubs recently supported his bid for a second term. These regional endorsements are an important asset in an electoral system where geographical loyalties play a predominant role.

The appointment of Malcolm Wilson as the new sporting vice-president, replacing Reid, also demonstrates the outgoing president’s ability to rally respected figures from the field. Wilson, a British rally champion and M-Sport boss for three decades, brings undeniable legitimacy to the leadership team.

The surprise return of Shaila-Ann Rao to the position of presidential advisor has also caught the attention of many. This former legal director of the FIA had left the organization under tense circumstances at the end of 2022, with reports suggesting that she had accused Ben Sulayem of inappropriate behavior.

The hope for other candidacies

Sainz Sr wanted to clarify that his resignation did not mean a disengagement from motorsport. « Despite my withdrawal from this race, my passion to serve and lead in the world of motorsport has not changed, and I still believe that the organization needs significant changes », he stated. This still leaves open the possibility that other figures may emerge in the coming months to challenge Ben Sulayem.

The presidential election will be held on December 12 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, during the FIA General Assembly. Barring any last-minute surprises, the current president is likely to be re-elected without opposition, a situation that would considerably strengthen his position at the helm of the governing body of world motorsport.

This prospect of a re-election already secured therefore raises serious questions about the democratic health of the FIA and its ability to address internal criticisms that have been accumulating for several months. The withdrawal of Sainz Sr., the only candidate capable of challenging the outgoing president, could well mark a decisive step in the evolution of the federation’s governance.