A third potential rival to Mohammed Ben Sulayem's presidency of the FIA may now be preparing to enter the race for motorsport's top job.
According to Osterreich, an Austrian outlet with strong links to F1 insiders like Dr Helmut Marko and Toto Wolff, former Formula 1 driver Alex Wurz is being seriously encouraged to run in December's upcoming FIA presidential election.
The 51-year-old Austrian, who already holds a co-director role with the Grand Prix Drivers' Association and regularly appears as a pundit on Austrian broadcaster ORF, is also no stranger to the FIA.
He is also involved in motorsport infrastructure through his racetrack design company.
Osterreich reports that Wurz is being urged to run "by a growing number of people," as dissatisfaction with Ben Sulayem continues to spread through both the F1 paddock and the Paris-based governing body.
Wurz now joins rally legend Carlos Sainz Sr. and former F1 team principal David Richards as possible contenders for the FIA presidency.
"More and more insiders are calling for former Le Mans winner Alexander Wurz to be the new head of the world motorsport governing body," the newspaper claims.
Wurz has already attracted the endorsement of 1996 Formula 1 world champion Damon Hill.
"He's an absolute expert, he has knowledge, and he places great importance on driver safety," Hill is quoted as saying.
"Wurz as FIA president? That would be the perfect job for him."
As for Carlos Sainz Sr, his son — current Williams driver Carlos Sainz — says no final decision has been made.
"It's interesting that it's something he didn't come up with himself," Sainz Jr. revealed.
"A lot of people in the paddock have slowly taken it into their heads, approached him and suggested it. He's thinking about it now. He hasn't yet put together a roster or a team, but depending on how he sees it, he'll go for it or not."
