Sainz acknowledges that a future FIA bid for his father is improbable.

      Carlos Sainz expresses his disappointment for "motorsport" regarding his father's decision to step back from the race to replace the controversial FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem. The rally legend, Sainz senior, 63, announced this week that, after much contemplation, he chose not to run in the presidential elections set for December.

      When asked about this in Austria, Williams driver Sainz, 30, responded, "Disappointed?" Adding, "As his son, no, but as a motorsport fan, yes." Over recent weeks, Sainz senior indicated that he was approached by many who viewed him as a valid alternative to the increasingly polarizing Ben Sulayem. "Many would have liked to see my father attempting to see what he could have contributed to the sport," Sainz confirmed.

      "However, as his son, and after discussing various factors he would need to handle in order to affirm his candidacy for the presidency, I believe I understand why he has decided against it and is focusing on his own matters." The four-time grand prix winner also suggested that his father may not pursue a more viable bid for the presidency of F1’s governing body in the future. "Never say never," Sainz stated, "but I think the optimal moment was now, considering the current circumstances, for him to step in and make a positive difference."

      He added, "I’m unsure if four or eight years from now would be ideal, but yes, never say never. But at this moment, he is certainly not interested." When asked about the potential contributions his father could have made to the FIA, Williams driver Sainz highlighted some current issues.

      "In recent years, drivers have sensed a certain lack of transparency and connection with those at the top of the FIA," he explained. "While the intentions have sometimes been good and the FIA has operated in good faith, I feel that we, as drivers, have often been somewhat sidelined. At times, our views have not been given enough consideration."

      Some find it noteworthy that just as Sainz senior withdraws from the race, the Ben Sulayem-led FIA has made the F1 stewards’ penalty guidelines public. "There have been corrections at times," acknowledged the 30-year-old Sainz, "but clearly, there have been occasions where we haven’t felt the same, and we've made that very clear in our statements. We’ll see if improvements are made, and perhaps the FIA's press release today indicates a desire to clear things up."