Carlos Sainz Sr., the Spanish world rally champion and father of Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz Jr., has officially withdrawn from the FIA presidency race for 2025. He cited the current circumstances as unfavorable and his commitment to competing in the Dakar Rally as key reasons for his decision. Sainz Sr. had considered challenging the incumbent FIA president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, but his withdrawal leaves Ben Sulayem with no clear rival for another term. Carlos Sainz Jr. publicly supported his father's decision, acknowledging it as a difficult but understandable choice. The withdrawal has effectively cleared the path for Ben Sulayem to continue leading the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, the governing body for major motorsport series including Formula 1.