Formula 1 drivers are voicing enthusiasm for a potential leadership shake-up at the sport's governing body, as Carlos Sainz Sr emerges as a challenger to FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem in December's elections.
The controversial Ben Sulayem faces growing scrutiny, with Williams driver Carlos Sainz Jr, 30, backing his 63-year-old father's candidacy. "Obviously I'm biased," Sainz smiled to Spanish reporters at Imola. "But if there's anyone who can take the politics out of this, it's my father.
"He's guided by common sense."
The F1 driver collective, incensed by Ben Sulayem's stringent behaviour guidelines, including severe penalties for swearing, has been a focal point of discontent.
Ben Sulayem recently scaled back the 'Appendix B' rules' severity.
George Russell, co-director of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association, suggested the timing of the rule changes could be "strategic" given Sainz Sr's rumoured bid. "We're not going to be saying thank you for something that was so crazy in the first place," the Mercedes driver insisted.
"You know, we shouldn't even be having this conversation."
Russell disputed Ben Sulayem's claim of consulting drivers for the new guideline changes, stating: "We've had no correspondence with anyone from the senior level at the FIA.
"So yeah, it's all a bit suspect."
Speculation abounds that Ben Sulayem's appointment of Anthony Hamilton, father of Lewis Hamilton, to a senior role in the FIA's young driver programme is an attempt to placate critics.
Lewis Hamilton, now at Ferrari, called the original guidelines "ridiculous", adding: "It seems a bit of a mess there at the moment. There are lots of changes that are needed, for sure."
Max Verstappen, who served FIA community service over the winter for saying "f*ck" in a press conference, was coy when asked about Sainz Sr's potential presidency. "You can fill that in for yourself," he said, before adding: "Of course people say it's conflicting with his son but I think he's professional enough to keep that separated from each other.
"I think it would be a great addition to run for president."
