FIA Firestorm: Carlos Sainz Sr. Exposes Sébastien Loeb’s Plan to Overthrow Ben Sulayem – Racing World in Turmoil

A storm brews in motorsport leadership

Carlos Sainz Sr., a living legend of rally racing, has stunned the motorsport world by suggesting that Sebastien Loeb, the nine-time WRC champion, should join the FIA board. This comes amid growing speculation that Sainz himself had once considered running for FIA president, currently held by Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

In a rare and candid moment, Sainz Sr voiced his disappointment in the current administration

ation, stating clearly that now is the right time for change. What shocked many fans and insiders was the fact that Sainz openly advocated for Loeb, someone known for avoiding politics, to take a leadership role.

The move was not just symbolic. It reflected deep cracks within the organization that governs global motorsport — cracks that seem to be widening with each controversial decision or misstep by its leadership.

Carlos Sainz Sr breaks the silence

Speaking to Spanish media, Sainz Sr. revealed his frustrations with how things are being run at FIA headquarters.

Many of us feel ignored. Decisions are made behind closed doors, and the integrity of the sport is at stake. We need someone respected and clean, someone like Sebastien, Sainz said.

This was no empty statement. By naming Loeb, he pointed to one of the most successful and universally respected figures in the world of racing. The statement caught fire across social media and paddocks from Formula One to the World Rally Championship.

Sainz’s comments appear to reflect a growing consensus among motorsport veterans and fans that the current administration lacks vision, transparency, and connection to the sport’s real stakeholders — the drivers, teams, and fans.

FIA under fire amid growing dissatisfaction

Since Ben Sulayem assumed the FIA presidency, controversies have piled up — from inconsistent rule enforcement in Formula One to delays in improving safety standards and questions surrounding his leadership style. Some insiders have even whispered about a growing power vacuum within the organization.

Critics argue that Ben Sulayem has struggled to modernize the FIA while also failing to engage meaningfully with those closest to the track. In particular, many feel that drivers’ voices have been marginalized.

Carlos Sainz Sr.’s suggestion of Loeb appears to be more than just a passing idea. It could be a rallying cry for a quiet revolution — one that replaces career politicians with those who have raced, bled, and conquered.

Loeb’s name carries weight not only in rallying but across motorsport. His resume includes stints in Dakar, circuit racing, and even Formula One testing. There is arguably no other driver who commands such broad-based respect.

Could Sebastien Loeb be the leader FIA needs

The most surprising part of the story is not just Sainz’s proposal but the possibility that Sebastien Loeb might actually accept. Known for his low profile and avoidance of public politics, Loeb has quietly been observing from the sidelines.

Insiders say that Loeb has received multiple requests from figures across the motorsport world to step in and help reform the FIA. While he has not commented publicly, several sources suggest that he is taking the idea seriously.

One veteran of the WRC paddock said, Sebastien is not someone who does things for publicity. If he steps in, it means he believes the sport is in trouble and needs saving.

If true, this would be an unprecedented move. Never before has a driver of Loeb’s caliber and neutrality considered entering the political machine of motorsport.

But maybe that is exactly what the FIA needs — someone who has lived the sport, not just administered it.

What would a Loeb-led FIA look like

Should Sebastien Loeb accept a role on the FIA board or even pursue leadership in the future, fans and teams alike could expect a wave of meaningful reform. According to experts, a Loeb-led administration would likely focus on

Empowering drivers to have a real say inmaking and governance

Restoring transparency to disciplinary decisions and rule enforcement

Reinvesting in grassroots and neglected racing series, including rally

Modernizing safety and sustainability without compromising competition

Rebuilding trust between fans and the governing body

Many believe that Loeb’s clean image, combined with his strategic thinking and technical understanding, could breathe life into an organization that many now view as outdated and disconnected.

As one longtime engineer put it, If Loeb leads, people will follow. Not because they have to — but because they trust him.

The power vacuum and Ben Sulayem’s weakening hold

In the shadow of these calls for change, Ben Sulayem’s position appears to be weakening. Despite having entered office with bold promises, his tenure has been plagued by scandals, questionable decisions, and dwindling public confidence.

From the controversial ending of F1 races to internal struggles over environmental policies, many now view his leadership as a missed opportunity.

Sainz’s criticism may be just the beginning. Several retired and active drivers have begun to echo similar sentiments, hinting at a possible push from within to restructure FIA leadership from top to bottom.

The problem is no longer hidden. It is being talked about in garages, paddocks, and media rooms around the world.

And at the center of that conversation is Sebastien Loeb, whether he likes it or not.

A crossroad for motorsport governance

The question now is whether the motorsport world will seize this moment to evolve or let it pass into yet another forgotten controversy.

Carlos Sainz Sr.’s words struck a nerve because they came from someone who had nothing to gain politically. He is already a legend. He has no need for clout. His concern appears to be genuine — the future of the sport he helped build.

And that is why fans are taking his call for Sébastien Loeb seriously.

This is not just a debate about leadership. It is a battle over the soul of motorsport — a choice between corporate detachment and genuine passion. Between maintaining the status quo and reimagining the future.

Only time will tell if Loeb decides to act. But one thing is clear:

If Sebastien Loeb does step forward, the racing world will never be the same again.