Carlos Sainz SR is considering running against Mohammed Ben Sulayem to become the next FIA president.

Sources close to the former World Rally Champion and Dakar champion said several key figures from the racing field have approached him as current FIA President Ben Sulayem.

Motorsport.com learns that Williams F1 driver Carlos Sainz's father is now seriously considering whether to stand up with Ben Sulayem, whose term as presidential governing body for F1 has been under controversially damaged.

Sources say if Sainz, 63, opposes Ben Sulayem, himself a former rally driver, would “propose a positive and constructive plan” to give an alternative option to the president’s election, the sources said.

Ben Sulayem, also 63, was elected president at the end of 2021 - replacing Jean Todt, who had served for 12 years.

The next election is at the end of the year, although the date has not been confirmed yet.

Earlier this year, there were speculation that F1 Academy managing director Susie Wolff could run for president, but the rumors were shut down.

Ben Sulayem's tenure has been subject to many controversy. Recently, the FIA ​​has seen a series of senior management leave the governing body. Sports Vice President Robert Reid left last month, saying “a fundamental breakdown of governance standards” and “a critical decision without due process.”

In February, several FIA members were banned from a meeting of their World Parliament after refusing to sign an undisclosed agreement. Reid is one of those who refuse to sign with British representative David Richards. Richards then issued an open letter that clearly shows that more and more people are concerned about the FIA's governance.

“The FIA’s governance and constitutional organizations are becoming increasingly opaque, with power concentrated in the hands of the president alone”. Richards said. “We cannot allow our leadership’s moral compass to simply dismiss any demands for transparency and public discourse.”

Ben Sulayem was not involved in the dispute with FIA members, but was also upset by the ban on sworn in.

The rally driver protested when he refused to accept an English interview, while the F1 driver wrote an open letter asking to treat it like an adult.

Other controversies involving Ben Sulayem include the ongoing investigation into the potential intervention of Emirati in racial outcomes, which he was later cleared. He received a "stop and stop" letter from a F1 lawyer, who posted a comment on the value of Formula 1 on social media. His famous historical quotes about misogynistic remarks also appeared.

At the end of 2023, under the guidance of Ben Sulayem, the FIA ​​also conducted a compliance investigation against Mercedes principal Toto Wolff and his wife Susie on the grounds of conflict of interest. In a joint statement issued by nine other teams, the claim was withdrawn within two days, indicating that they had no problems, so there are now legal cases against the FIA ​​ongoing.

Other figures are expected to appear in the competition with Ben Sulayem.