FIA PRESIDENTIAL candidate Ari Vatanen has criticised Max Mosley for nominating Jean Todt as his preferred choice to succeed him at the head of motorsport’s world governing body.
The Finnish former World Rally champion has already put his name forward to replace Mosley when he stands down from his role in October, but will face a stern challenge from former Ferrari team principal Todt, who will receive support from within the FIA ahead of the election on October 23rd.
Vatanen, who worked under Todt when the Frenchman was head of Peugeot motorsport, believes his election rival is being presented as the “son of the king”, and criticised the FIA for appearing to abandon their democratic principles in this matter.
Speaking to an Italian website, Vatanen said: “Even though Jean Todt is a good friend of mine, the FIA is not a kingdom, where a king hands over his power. It’s very wrong that Jean is presented as the son of the king.
“Every single person who sees this says ‘this is not right’. The FIA is a republic,” he declared. The FIA’s recent peace agreement with the Formula One Teams’ Association (FOTA), which averted a breakaway series, remains fragile.
It is no secret that the FOTA-aligned teams — Ferrari, McLaren, Red Bull, Toro Rosso, BMW Sauber, Brawn GP, Toyota and Renault — are keen to bring an end to Mosley’s tenure, but the potential appointment of Todt would not signal the break with the past that is currently being sought by the rebel team bosses.
Vatanen believes the teams and motorsport fans are ready for a new direction after 16 years and four terms of the Mosley presidency, and is adamant that 63-year-old Todt cannot deliver that change.
“I’m sorry to say that, but. . . Jean [as president] means that the current FIA would continue and the current system and people would more or less stay in place,” Vatanen continued.
“There would be no change and that would be such an injustice to that big majority who want to have a renewed, fair, transparent FIA they can be proud of.
“Who can be proud of the FIA today? Not many people, apart from those who are benefiting from it.” He added: “I do not wish to criticise Max personally, but of course I’m objective when I assess what has happened in the FIA, because the FIA is not in very good health.”
– PA