Legendary rally driver Carlos Sainz Sr is shaking up the motorsport world once again as he contemplates challenging incumbent FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem for a second term. Renowned for his two World Rally Championship titles, Sainz is not just the father of current F1 star Carlos Sainz Jr, but a force to be reckoned with in his own right.
From his humble beginnings in the 1980s Spanish rally scene to conquering the World Rally Championship with Toyota in the early ’90s, Sainz’s career has been nothing short of spectacular. His rivalry with legends like Juha Kankkunen and Colin McRae has solidified his status as one of the all-time greats in motorsport history.
But Sainz’s ambitions don’t stop at the rally stages. With four Dakar Rally victories under his belt and a successful stint in the Extreme E series, the Spanish maestro is showing no signs of slowing down. As he considers a bid for the FIA presidency, the motorsport community is abuzz with anticipation.
The prospect of Sainz going head-to-head with Ben Sulayem, whom he has crossed paths with in the WRC arena, adds an extra layer of intrigue to the upcoming elections. With whispers of dissatisfaction surrounding Ben Sulayem’s current tenure, Sainz’s candidacy could signal a winds of change within the FIA.
As fans eagerly await Sainz’s final decision, one thing is certain – whether on the dusty trails of the Dakar or the polished floors of the FIA headquarters, Carlos Sainz Sr is a force to be reckoned with.
