Changes in the election process: Does the FIA ​​want to prevent Carlos Sainz Sr.?

(Motorsport-Total.com) - The FIA, the world's governing body, is once again in the spotlight – this time due to potential rule changes in the run-up to the presidential election in December. According to BBC reports, incumbent President Mohammed bin Sulayem is planning to push forward a series of changes to the statutes that could potentially disadvantage or even disqualify rival candidates.

The core of the planned changes is an earlier deadline for announcing a candidacy for the presidency. This would put significant time pressure on potential new candidates, such as Carlos Sainz Sr. Motorsport-Total.com exclusively reported last week that the two-time World Rally Champion is seriously considering a candidacy.

If Sainz were to run for election, the new plans would require him to seek the necessary support from voting member clubs much earlier than before - which could significantly reduce his chances of success.

Integrity clause could pose a further hurdle

In addition to this advance, according to the BBC , another clause will be introduced, stipulating that members of a presidential list "must have no history that calls into question their professional integrity." The FIA's Code of Ethics also states that all participants must "avoid conflicts of interest and disclose potential conflict situations."

Since Carlos Sainz Sr. is the father of the Williams Formula 1 driver of the same name, this could be considered a conflict of interest by the Ethics Committee, which could lead to his disqualification from the election.

According to the BBC , the official reason for the planned changes is to "create consistency between terms and streamline elections." Critics, however, see this as an attempt to deliberately thwart potential challengers.