Todt running for FIA presidency, aims to improve FIA effectiveness

by Bradley Wint on July 17th, 2009 at 1:00 am

Former Ferrari F1 team principal Jean Todt has confirmed that he will be running for the candidacy of FIA Presidency. This comes one day after the current president Max Mosley recommended that he be the successor to the position. Todt sent in his letter of candidacy to the board, now making him a competitor to Ari Vatanen.

He had this to say:

“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.”

Max Mosley also had some bits to add about the situation.

“Jean is unquestionably the outstanding motorsport manager of his generation and arguably of any generation…If he agrees to stand, I think he would be the ideal person to continue but also to extend the work of the past 16 years. He can be relied on in all areas where the FIA is active. I very much hope you will give him your support.”

There is now a lot of controversy surrounding Todt’s decision, mainly because he was once affiliated with the Ferrari F1 team. However he has stated that he will bring independence with his leadership and wants to improve the effectiveness of the FIA.

He has outlined some of his plans which include cutting costs and increasing innovation. However, the cutting costs bit does sound a bit troubling, because the FOTA and FIA are already up in arms because of current and future rule problems, with one of the topics being the cost cutting strategies.

Todt commented on his plans and also paid tribute to current president Mosley.

“I do so conscious that the FIA is a unique organisation that serves both as the governing body of motor sport and the representative of motoring clubs worldwide,…

In this letter I would like to explain my commitment to strengthening the independence and effectiveness of the FIA in close co-operation with the entire membership.

I have been very fortunate in my career to have enjoyed considerable success in motor sport and benefit from the hard work of previous leaders of the FIA in creating a global platform on which to compete.

I feel that for me the time is now right to give something back to the sport and the FIA’s club that have given me so much. I would also like to assist my colleagues from the mobility clubs in their important work representing the motoring public.

For these reasons I am enthusiastic and excited to serve as President of the FIA and very grateful for your consideration of my candidacy.”

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