REPORT: Former Ferrari chief Jean Todt confirms candidacy for FIA president
The heat is on as former Ferrari chief executive Jean Todt has reportedly confirmed his candidacy for FIA president. The Frenchman has been touted as a potential head of the international motorsport governing body and automobile federation for years, with rumors intensifying following his resignation from the top spot at Ferrari over a year ago. However, reports now indicate that the renowned racing strategist will stand for the office to replace the departing Max Mosley.
Todt has a wealth of experience in a variety of motorsport disciplines. After a brief career as a rally co-pilot, Todt went on to head up Peugeot's racing program, bringing the French automaker titles at Le Mans, Dakar and the World Rally Championship. He then went on to head the Scuderia Ferrari F1 team, orchestrating an unprecedented winning streak together with Michael Schumacher and Ross Brawn. Todt was eventually named chief executive of the entire Ferrari operation, a post from which he stepped down last year, while retaining certain influential positions for Ferrari including his seat on the FIA World Motorsport Council.
The son of a Holocaust survivor, Todt's family history appears at odds with Mosley's, to say nothing of Bernie Ecclestone's recent comments. But that didn't stop Mosley from endorsing Todt (or Todt from accepting Mosley's endorsement) as his successor when he finally announcing his intention yesterday not to seek re-election this coming October.
Todt has already assembled part of his 22-member slate, including New Zealand's Brian Gibbons and Britain's Graham Stoker as vice-presidents and American Nick Shaw, current FIA deputy president, to preside over the FIA Senate. He'll be running against Ari Vatanen, a former Dakar and World Rally Champion and current member of the European Parliament.
[Source: BBC | Image: Clive Mason/Getty]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
juan 6:51PM (7/16/2009)
jajajajaja if that guy wins the f1 is gonna be called de ferrari f1 champioship, jajajaja the same thing to make favors to the red house, hope that this is a joke cause this guy has a face that if he wins the fia chief job ferrari would win everything favored by this guy.
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Al Terego 7:49PM (7/16/2009)
I'd take you more seriously if you weren't so annoying.
juan 10:42PM (7/16/2009)
so dont read and most people agree with my opinion, sorry that you dont like it that's life.
davido 6:56PM (7/16/2009)
Is that Jean Todt or Mel Brooks? Have they ever been seen together?
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sd_eds 9:43AM (7/17/2009)
Its good to be the king.
TigerMil 7:18PM (7/16/2009)
Anyone But Bush!
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Fernando 9:02AM (7/17/2009)
ROFL
andrewtheboss 7:20PM (7/16/2009)
A little OT :-)
Who wants to visit Italy, my country, the site www.italia.it is now available... Think now is very interesting (not just the old version... it was awful)
Bye :-)
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kfj 7:29PM (7/16/2009)
I love Ferrari but the last thing the FIA needs is someone out of the Ferrari camp.
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tuna 7:49PM (7/16/2009)
Agree 100%. I'm tired of watching Renault team boss bitching about Ferrari running the show every interview.
Bert 7:48PM (7/16/2009)
I like Todt. He got things done, whithout whining (hello Ron and Flavio), without drama. Be it in rally as a co-pilot (to Ari as irony would have it... fantastic picture at http://www.formula1blog.com/2009/07/15/fia-poised-for-ultimate-rally-race-for-office-f1-formula-1/ ) as rally team manager for Peugeot, WIN!. As Peugeot Le Mans team manager, WIN!. As Ferrari F1 team manager WIN!
However, just because he is the choice of Mosley, he will be forever tainted. Personally I think Todt could overcome 'The Red Car Rule' syndrome. But it's just too creepy.
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tuna 7:51PM (7/16/2009)
Yup. F1 needs new management to restore good will of the fans. It doesn't need rebranded old management.
Bobs 11:45PM (7/16/2009)
I tip my hat to this guy
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psyder 1:26AM (7/17/2009)
he is extremely capable and could do a really great job as FIA president , but still , people would think that he'd favour Ferrari when they'll need it . that could be true , but remember this guy is stricly professional and even with all the years spent at ferrari he could still be fair.
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Ronman 2:30AM (7/17/2009)
I think he's a great choice. his is committed to the organization he works for and a true professional.
And for those who think the rules will become skewed towards Ferrari favoritism, remember that the FIA offered Ferrari 100m more dollars than anyone else each year without Mosley or Bernie being a former Ferrari employee. it's just that the scarlets have such a strangle hold on the marketability of F1 that they get preferential treatment whoever is in charge...that's a thing we should accept if we are realistic
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iiviiaster 4:14AM (7/17/2009)
Ari Vatanen is a former member of EuroParlament. He didnt get elected this year. Still, Im rooting for him!
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lxxx 6:32AM (7/17/2009)
Actually, Vatanen didn't even run for European Parlament in this years elections.
fatstig 7:52AM (7/17/2009)
This is the perfect candidate. He know's all the in's and out's of multiple motosports activities, knows how teams "bend" and "s t r e c h" the rules to stay competitive. Unless he's completely biased towards his past teams (which we have no public indication of) you should expect to see him make changes that challenge teams in a positive manner and make some great racing. And with a little luck and Bernie keeping his mouth shut, possibly restore the enthusiasm of fans, especially F1.
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amg 1:57PM (7/17/2009)
Now if only we could get rid of Bernie
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