Nasser Al Attiyah finds it challenging for Carlos Sainz to assume the presidency of the FIA.
Top Qatari racer Nasser Al-Attiyah isn't too enthused about Carlos Sainz becoming the next president of the FIA, stating that it's a towering challenge due to the international might of current president Mohammed ben Sulayem. Al-Attiyah reckons that this might not be the ideal time for Sainz to ascend to the throne, and suggests that Sainz should just keep on racing for now.
In an informal chat with TVE, Al-Attiyah dished out the deets about the 2026 Dakar route, stressing that there won't be a 48-hour stage.
Presently embroiled in a fierce tussle to clinch his fourth W2RC title, Al-Attiyah is also working on tweaking his Dacia for the next Dakar, where he's got a friendly rivalry with Sainz in the pipeline.
The 2025 FIA Elections
Al-Attiyah's comments sparked a sense of uncertainty regarding the upcoming FIA presidential election, with the only certainty being that the polls will be held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on December 12, 2025.
Held every four years at the FIA's General Assembly, this assembly is the supreme decision-making body comprising national sporting authorities and automotive clubs from over 200 member organizations spanning nearly 150 countries.
If re-elected, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the current president, will have more than ten Middle East rally championship titles under his belt. He has held several key positions within the FIA before taking the helm as the president. Should Carlos Sainz decide to throw his hat in the ring, it would initiate a whirlwind of horse-trading and backroom dealings to secure voter support.
Potential Candidates
Some of the possible candidates mentioned for the 2025 FIA presidential election include:
- Mohammed Ben Sulayem: The incumbent president. With significant backing from member clubs, he is well positioned to secure another term due to his inclusive approach and promise to empower these clubs[1][5].
- Carlos Sainz Sr: A two-time WRC champion, Sainz has expressed interest in running for the presidency. However, proposed changes to FIA statutes might complicate his candidacy[1][4].
- Alexander Wurz: As of now, Wurz is a rumored candidate, though it's unclear whether he has formally entered the race[3].
- Susie Wolff: Initially reported as a potential candidate, Wolff's name has faded from recent discussions[2].
During the conversation with TVE, Al-Attiyah shared the upcoming 2026 Dakar route details, highlighting that there will be no 48-hour stage. Despite his competitive spirit, Al-Attiyah averred that this might not be the perfect time for Sainz to become the FIA president, suggesting he should continue racing and maybe contest in the 2025 FIA elections.
