Current FIA President Max Mosley has darkly hinted that whoever succeeds him may not be liked by FOTA either.
The 69-year-old’s promise not to stand for re-election in October this year was seen by many to be the deal clincher for the teams in yesterday’s peace deal, as FOTA are thought to dislike Mosley and what they see as his autocratic style.
But Mosley hinted that he had been doing his job, and that a successor could be as tough-talking as he has been.
“Whether the person who succeeds me will be more to [the teams’] liking remains to be seen,” he said after the meeting yesterday.
Mosley is thought to have been referring to ex-Ferrari team principal Jean Todt, whose name has been buzzing around the press as the most likely candidate to replace Mosley. But some sections of the media, and it is thought the British teams, fear Todt’s links to Ferrari could colour his judgement when dealing with contentious issues. The Frenchman has wisely been staying quiet recently and has avoided commenting on the FIA/FOTA war, which will have enhanced his image with the governing body.
Mosley did not discount the possibility of Todt running as his successor.
“I would not like to exclude it,” Mosley said of Todt’s candidacy.
One candidate whose name has been mentioned in connection with the post is Monaco automobile club President Michel Boeri, who is currently head of the FIA Senate. But Mosley, who retains the power to recommend his successor, told Auto Motor und Sport that Boeri would not stand, on the grounds of his age.
“I cannot imagine that Boeri is interested in the post,” he said.
