Former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya has backed Carlos Sainz Sr to challenge Mohammed Ben Sulayem for the FIA presidency later this year.
Two-time World Rally Championship winner Sainz Sr revealed last week he was interested in putting together a campaign to become the FIA president.
The next election is due to take place in December, where Ben Sulayem will be seeking a second term.
The Emirati's first four years at the helm of F1's governing body has contained controveries, including a recent disagreement with drivers over swearing.
A recent report also suggested Ben Sulayem is seeking to make radical changes to the governing including “the possibility to bar any candidate from running against him and allow him more control over the membership of the FIA Senate”.
Montoya has backed Sainz Sr to suceed in the role should he be elected to the position.
“I really like Carlos Sainz Sr, I get on with him really well,” Montoya told Spin Genie.
“I think if he's running for the FIA Presidency, it would be a good change for F1 if it's necessary. At the moment, when people look at what is wrong with the sport, they blame Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
“For example, the swearing rules annoyed a lot of people, and he lost a lot of confidence from it. At the end of the day, if everyone in F1 hates him, wouldn't that change the votes? It's a very political system.”
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Conflict of interest not a concern - Juan Pablo Montoya
A core issue that has been raised by some regarding a potential presidency for Sainz Sr is the fact his son is racing in F1 for Williams.
The 63-year-old has denied there would be a conflict of interest, asserting he was step away from involvement in his son's career.
Montoya concurs that it would not become an issue as long as Sainz Sr doe not interfere with the stewards during a race.
“Would Sainz Sr get in if it's based on votes? I don't know. Usually, FIA Presidents last a lot longer, but out of all the choices to replace Ben Sulayem, Sainz Sr is a really good one,” Montoya said.
“Why would Sainz Sr want to get that involved? I'm not sure.
“He's still a driver and it's easy to say there will be a conflict of interest with his son. If something goes wrong, everyone will question that.
"With Carlos Sainz Jr at Williams, I don't think there will be a problem there. Unless Sainz Jr did something really wrong and his dad interferes with the stewards during a race, there shouldn't be a problem."
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