Sainz snr asserts that defeating Ben Sulayem "will be challenging."
"In any case, I haven’t made a decision either way yet."
It won’t be "easy" to unseat the current FIA president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem. This is the acknowledgment of the individual most likely to challenge him in the December elections - Carlos Sainz senior. The 63-year-old, whose son shares his name and drives for Williams, stated in Barcelona, "I’m considering it. I’m looking into what being the FIA president would entail. It’s a highly esteemed institution, and many people are encouraging me, but right now, I’m just contemplating it."
Recent reports indicated that Ben Sulayem - also 63 - was modifying FIA regulations to complicate matters for potential candidates like Sainz in assembling a complete management team. The FIA president refuted this in Monaco, saying, "Let him (Sainz) run. That’s democracy."
Also reflecting democratic sentiments is the emergence of a new letter, reportedly written by Bernie Ecclestone’s wife, Fabiana, who serves as the FIA vice president for sport in South America, praising the "extraordinary" work done by Ben Sulayem. This letter was endorsed by over thirty FIA-affiliated clubs from North and South America.
"We recognize that four years is a brief period to accomplish the ambitious reforms you have initiated," the leaked letter addressed to Ben Sulayem states, according to Arab News. "Thus, we strongly urge you to pursue re-election at the upcoming AGA so you can continue the essential work you have commenced, with our full backing."
In this context, rallying legend Sainz acknowledged that it will not be "easy" to challenge the incumbent FIA president. "It’s not easy," he remarked, "as the current president is seeking re-election, and challenges are often better managed from within."
"In any case, I haven’t confirmed my decision yet," the Spaniard added. When asked whether he could balance the role of FIA president with competing in the Dakar rally, Sainz senior replied, "I don’t believe so. Competing in next year's Dakar would be feasible since the elections are in December and the rally occurs in January, but beyond that, it wouldn't work. If it goes forward, I would have to stop competing in the future. However, I can't say much more because I’m still in the process of figuring it out. I don't yet have my team assembled. There’s someone I would like to have supporting me, but it’s not the right time to elaborate further."
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Sainz snr asserts that defeating Ben Sulayem "will be challenging."
Formula 1 | Dethroning the current FIA president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, will not be an easy task. This is the acknowledgment of the individual most expected to challenge him.