Carlos Sainz states that his son made the correct decision by selecting Williams.

      "The team has been somewhat surprising."

      As he considers a possible candidacy for FIA president, Carlos Sainz Sr. has expressed support for his son’s choice to join Williams this season. The 30-year-old Sainz was furious in Miami after his teammate Alex Albon passed him, despite assurances that Albon was instructed to maintain his position. "That’s not how I race," Sainz said over the radio after the race concluded. "I don’t care. I’ve lost a lot of confidence here, in everything."

      With Lewis Hamilton expected to join Ferrari in 2025, Sainz was not approached by other leading teams last year and had to decide between Williams, Alpine, or Audi-owned Sauber. His father, the rallying icon who shares his name, publicly encouraged Sainz to choose Audi. Carlos Sainz Sr. won the prestigious Dakar rally last year with Volkswagen's German brand.

      Now, at 63, Sainz told Marca sports newspaper: "I believe Williams was the best choice. After finishing second-to-last last year, Carlos has already secured a sixth place in qualifying. The team has been quite impressive, and we must acknowledge that he made the right decision."

      Nevertheless, some still argue that opting for a manufacturer like Audi would have been a smarter move, especially with the new chassis and engine regulations coming in 2026. “Such a drastic change in regulations is a mix,” Sainz Sr. concedes, “and we’ll need to observe who succeeds and who fails. It could be significant, and until the first race of the year, it will be challenging to determine who got it right."

      Regarding his potential bid for the FIA presidency later this year, Sainz downplayed any concerns about a conflict of interest, given that his son is a Formula 1 driver and co-director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association. "People know me well enough to realize that this wouldn’t pose an issue," he stated, adding that he would distance himself from his son’s management team.

      If he proceeds with his FIA presidential run, many insiders believe he could pose a serious challenge to the current and controversial incumbent, Mohammed Ben Sulayem. "There are prominent figures in the motorsports realm encouraging me to consider this decision, and I will reflect on it," stated the Spaniard. "I need to assess whether I truly have the necessary support and if it’s worth pursuing," he was quoted by Diario Sport.