Ex-Ferrari team principal Jean Todt has announced his candidacy for the position of FIA President, which Max Mosley will vacate in October of this year.
The Frenchman was given a vote of confidence by the incumbent Mosley the other day, despite not having announced his intention to run. But Todt’s name has always been linked with the position given the close relationship Ferrari have historically had with the sport’s governing body.
Todt today issued a statement which read:
“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.
“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.
“Given the unique structure of the FIA and its twin roles in sport and mobility it takes more than a president to run the organisation and I am delighted to announce my leadership team.
“For the position of deputy president for mobility I would propose Brian Gibbons, chief executive of the New Zealand Automobile Association; for deputy president for sport I would propose, Graham Stoker, chairman of the Council of the UK’s Motor Sports Association; and for president of the Senate I would propose Nick Craw, president of ACCUS and the current FIA deputy president (sport).
“I am confident that together we will offer the FIA the opportunity to elect a dynamic leadership team of outstanding experience and commitment. ”
Todt’s tribute to Mosley’s work may stick in the craw of some teams, but Todt’s recent silence during the FIA/FOTA war will have done him no harm whatsoever. He will stand against rally legend Ari Vatanen, who last week announced his intention to stand.
