Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz Jr has rejected suggestions of a potential conflict of interest if his father, rally legend Carlos Sainz Sr, were to pursue the presidency of the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l`Automobile).
Carlos Sainz Sr recently announced he is considering running in the December election, potentially challenging the current FIA president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem. Questions were raised about the appropriateness of Carlos Sr leading motorsport`s governing body while his son actively competes in one of its premier categories, Formula 1.
Speaking before the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Sainz Jr addressed these concerns directly. He explained that if his father were elected, their professional relationship would change. “Very simply because my dad and me, we would part ways,” Sainz Jr stated. “He would not be my manager anymore.”
The 30-year-old driver clarified, “I`m a 30-year-old Formula 1 driver that also has his manager, my cousin. We would just simply stop [the previous arrangement].” He added with conviction, “Whoever knows my dad or knows me personally, knows we would never do anything that would mean conflict of interest.”
Encouragement from the Paddock
Sainz Jr was keen to point out that the idea of his father running for the FIA role did not primarily originate from his father himself, but from encouragement within the F1 paddock. “First of all, it`s a possibility, it`s not that he`s going to present himself for sure, or he`s going to become a candidate. He`s just considering it,” Sainz Jr said.
“To be honest, it also didn`t come much from him. It came from a lot of people in the paddock suggesting it to him and putting the idea in his head, and he started considering it.”
Sainz Jr believes his father is well-suited for the role. “He`s going to obviously evaluate his options, his candidature and his possibilities,” he noted. “I can only say from being his son and being obviously a big fan of his, I think he fits the profile very well.”
“I think no one understands motorsport better than my dad across so many ranges, from rallying, to go-karting – because he came with me to all the go-kart races – to all the single-seater ladder, to Formula 1 now. He has quite a broad experience of everything… He definitely fits the profile but it`s going to be up to him whether he thinks he`s fit to consider to be a candidate or not.”
Fellow Drivers Share Their Views
Other leading Formula 1 drivers were also asked for their thoughts on Carlos Sainz Sr`s potential candidacy during the Imola weekend.
George Russell, a director of the Grand Prix Drivers` Association, described Carlos Sr as “a great guy” with “so much knowledge of motorsport,” suggesting his potential bid “could be something good.”
World champion Max Verstappen, a former teammate of Carlos Jr, praised Carlos Sr as “a very well-respected person in the paddock here but also for his achievements in rally.” Verstappen believes “a lot of people would support that.” While acknowledging the natural concern about conflict, Verstappen stated, “I think Carlos Sr is very professional and he can definitely put that aside. I don`t think we need to worry about that, if that`s a problem for someone.”
Marcus Prine