FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem says he can be blissful if Carlos Sainz Sr stands towards him within the subsequent elections in December.
Two-time WRC champion Sainz Sr is contemplating working for the FIA president and taking over a job in working the game after spending greater than 4 many years competing as a rally driver in each the brief and long-distance format.
The Spaniard is to date the one driver to indicate curiosity in standing within the subsequent elections towards incumbent Bel Sulayem, who took over the reins from Jean Todt in 2021.
Whereas Sainz Sr’s potential bid has already acquired widespread assist from senior figures in motorsport, Ben Sulayem stated he would don’t have any qualms if the 63-year-old places ahead his title within the subsequent presidential elections.
“Let him stand. That’s democracy,” he informed Reuters.
Ben Sulayem aiming for second time period
Ben Sulayem additionally confirmed that he’ll stand for a second four-year time period on the FIA from 2025 to 2029 after talking to different members of motorsport’s governing physique.
The Emirati stated he was happy with what he has achieved on the FIA to date and needs to construct on the work he has put in since 2021.
“I really feel having three years in a fancy federation just like the FIA just isn’t sufficient,” he stated.
“Do I would like extra time? Sure. Has it been straightforward? By no means. Has it been gratifying? Generally.
“So, I’m going (to face). I consulted with a lot of the members. I converse to them.”
“[I want to] continue to grow motorsport. To make the FIA stronger and stronger. That is my ambition and that is what I’ll do.”.
FIA returned to revenue for the primary time in 5 years within the monetary yr 2024-25, reporting an working results of €4.7m.
FIA’s greatest asset is Method 1, the industrial rights of which have been leased out to Liberty Media.
F1 generates greater than three billion {dollars} in income yearly and is a extremely worthwhile enterprise.
“Uncooked offers have been given to the FIA. It would not make sense to me that one [Formula One] driver and one crew principal make more cash than all the FIA, and the FIA owns the championship. Is that honest?,” stated Ben Sulayem.
Bel Sulayem’s time on the FIA has been marred by plenty of controversies, with folks each throughout the federation and outdoors sad with a few of his fashion of governance.
A number of key workers members left the FIA in recent times as a consequence of their obvious displeasure at Ben Sulayem’s approach of working, together with sporting director Steve Nielsen, single-seater technical director Tim Goss and CEO Natalie Robyn.
Its deputy president for sport Robert Reid additionally resigned in April as a consequence of what he described as a “basic breakdown in governance requirements inside motorsport’s world governing physique”.
The one constructive change was the return of former senior government Shaila-Ann Rao, who has rejoined as an advisor to Ben Sulayem.
Talking concerning the current reshuffle in workers, Ben Sulayem stated: “I cleaned up the FIA home.
“Trustworthy individuals are there. My again just isn’t anymore with knives in it.
“All of this negativity; ‘Oh, he is unpredictable, he is very controversial’. I’m the final one who cares what they [the critics and media] do, what they are saying. To me, it’s all the time concerning the [FIA] members.
“However I’m more than pleased. Possibly I’m doing one thing that irritates them.”
