May 7 (GMM) An interesting candidate to possibly replace FIA president Max Mosley in 2009 has emerged.

The French daily morning newspaper Le Figaro, citing an unnamed minister, reports that it is current Prime Minister Francois Fillon's "dream" to lead the governing body of world motor sport.

The 54-year-old is an avid motor racing aficionado, having lived in the Le Mans area all his life.

He is a member of the famous 24 hour race's organiser, the Automobile Club l'Ouest, and has even competed in historic sports car races and classic road rallies.

Mosley, 68, faces a confidence vote of the FIA senate in June over the damaging sex scandal.

His normal term will expire late next year, and he has announced that he will not be contesting the forthcoming election.

Fillon's boss, president Nicolas Sarkozy, is currently fending off disastrous opinion polls, despite dominantly winning the French elections a year ago.