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Todt Confirms FIA Presidential Candidacy

FORMER FERRARI TEAM Principal Jean Todt has confirmed he will be standing for election as FIA President in October.
The Frenchman announced his decision to challenge for motorsport’s top job only 24 hours after current President Max Mosley declared tha


FORMER FERRARI TEAM Principal Jean Todt has confirmed he will be standing for election as FIA President in October.

The Frenchman announced his decision to challenge for motorsport’s top job only 24 hours after current President Max Mosley declared that he endorsed Todt as his successor in the role.

Todt is the second person to announce their candidacy for the position after former World Rally Champion Ari Vatanen, who has already commenced courting senior members of the Formula One paddock.

Vatanen attended the German Grand Prix over the weekend and is believed to have held discussions with a number of prominent F1 identities, prompting McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh to state that the Finn would be an ideal man to bring reform to the FIA.

However, Todt believes he is best placed to continue the work commenced by Mosley and lead the motoring community through the Global Financial Crisis.

"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,” he said.

"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.”

Todt also took the opportunity to announce the remaining members of his ticket who will join him in office if successful in gaining election.

"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,” he said.

"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."

In the letter written to all FIA members, Todt detailed his plans for reform and to maintain the association’s status as an independent body.

He wrote: "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."

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