Zoom
Todt ready to take on the FIA presidency
with Mosley's support
Only a day after FIA President Max Mosley sent a letter to member clubs recommending his candidacy, Jean Todt on Thursday confirmed his intention of being the next man to lead the FIA.
"Following the decision of Max Mosley not to seek a further term of office and his unequivocal support of my candidacy, I have written to the FIA membership to inform them that I wish to stand for the presidency of the FIA," Todt declared.
"It is my intention to continue and expand the outstanding work of President Mosley, who for 16 years has worked tirelessly to strengthen the FIA's major motorsport championships and to position the FIA as the voice of the motoring public, actively promoting safe, clean and affordable mobility for all," the Frenchman added.
Todt also named the members of his potential 'leadership team'.
Brian Gibbons, chief executive of the New Zealand Automobile Association, would be deputy president for mobility; Graham Stoker, chairman of the Council of the United Kingdom's Motor Sports Association, is marked as the next deputy president for sport, while Nick Craw, president of ACCUS and the current FIA deputy president for sport is proposed as president of the FIA Senate.
"I am confident that together we will offer the FIA the opportunity to elect a dynamic leadership team of outstanding experience and commitment," Todt stated.
Jean Todt's career in motorsports began as a co-driver in rallying until his retirement in the early 1980s. Peugeot then moved him into a managerial position in which he oversaw the French marque's two World Rally Championship titles and two victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Taking over the Ferrari F1 effort in 1993, Todt rebuilt the team and eventually led it to multiple constructors' crowns in addition to seven drivers' titles for Michael Schumacher, albeit in repeatedly criticised and controversial circumstances involving team orders, official complaints, closeness to FIA decision-makers and a 'win at any cost' attitude.
Todt completely cut his association with Ferrari last March after previously relinquishing the team management role a year earlier and taking on Ferrari's car production division. Rumours quickly began to appear regarding his FIA ambitions, which have now been confirmed.
Mentioning in a letter to FIA members the "considerable success in motor sport" he has enjoyed, 63-year-old Todt now believes the time has come for him to "give something back to the sport and the FIA's club that have given me so much."
"For these reasons I am enthusiastic and excited to serve as President of the FIA and very grateful for your consideration of my candidacy."
Formula One teams have no say in the election process itself and cannot vote, but it is clear that the prospect of having Todt as FIA President will be seen as a continuation of Max Mosley's style of governance as both men are close and agree on a number of matters.
During his F1 tenure, Todt also angered many team principals (and a great many fans and pundits as well) for defending Ferrari before defending the needs of the sport – seeing him leading the FIA in the same harsh manner therefore does not appeal to many bosses when Formula One is in a state of seemingly perpetual political crises.
For that reason, teams have indicated their preference for an independent person as FIA President, one not so closely attached to the controversial Mosley and supported by him, and without prior direct involvement with Formula One.
The only other candidate to have confirmed his candidacy is 1981 World Rally Champion and former European parliament member Ari Vatanen, who is campaigning for a change in FIA governance and a less confrontational approach when dealing with teams.
Daniel BASTIEN
© CAPSIS International
If elected will Todt continue Mosleys form as in at loggerheads with FOTA Or will his ties with Ferrari make FOTA's proposals easier to get through.
But one must remember Todt had a falling out with Ferrari so any chance of favours coming their way may be slim.
but we do need change!
- By darwin dali