Carlos Sainz had been planning to challenge Mohammed Ben Sulayem at the FIA presidential election in December. However, he announced Wednesday that he is withdrawing his name from the race because he wants to focus on preparing for the 2026 Dakar Rally, which takes place the following month.

“I have worked hard these past months to understand in depth the situation at the FIA and the demands and complexities that come with such an important project,” wrote Sainz. “After a thoughtful reflection, I have come to the conclusion that the present circumstances are not ideal to set the grounds for my candidacy. Furthermore, I have realized that properly running for President would notably compromise my preparation for the Dakar and I do not wish to weaken my commitment to Ford and my team. These concerns have therefore inclined me to be realistic and desist from my FIA endeavour for now.

“Despite stepping down from this race, my passion for serving and leading within the Motorsport world hasn’t changed and I still believe the organization needs important changes, which I remain genuinely hopeful that will be tackled in the upcoming years. Both racing and mobility have been my life and I will closely follow future developments with great interest. I will always support my sport and try to contribute in all meaningful ways to improve mobility for road users around the world.

“Finally, I want to sincerely thank you all for the messages of support, encouragement and advice I have received during the past weeks. They have reinforced my confidence to continue striving towards my present and future goals and I’m truly grateful.”

A four-time Dakar winner and twice World Rally Champion, Sainz first expressed interest in running for the presidency in May after being approached by various figures in the industry. His son and F1 driver Carlos Sainz Jr. naturally pitched his support for his dad’s campaign. James Vowles, head of Sainz Jr.’s F1 team Williams, also backed the older Sainz for his understanding of a diverse range of disciplines.

Ben Sulayem, a fellow rally veteran who starred in the FIA Middle East Rally Championship, has been plagued by controversy during his term as FIA president. This was especially apparent on the F1 and WRC sides, where many drivers have protested policies like a ban on swearing. Various FIA figures have also resigned in recent months, most notably deputy president Robert Reid in April, out of dissatisfaction with how the executive has operated. Despite this, Sainz’s withdrawal means Ben Sulayem is currently running unopposed.

The election will be held on December 12 as part of the FIA general assembly in Uzbekistan. The winner receives a four-year term.

Sainz is currently 14th in the World Rally-Raid Championship, racing for Ford M-Sport after winning the 2024 Dakar Rally with Audi. He retired from the 2025 Dakar then finished fifth at the South African Safari Rally in May.

Featured image credit: Kin Marcin / Red Bull Content Pool