From GMM
Bernie Ecclestone has applauded a hands-off approach for the governing FIA's new president.
After Max Mosley's controversial 16-year reign, former Ferrari team boss Jean Todt took over for 2010 and has had a low-profile on formula one matters so far.
"He's got on with the other things that needed looking after," said F1 chief executive Ecclestone, after giving Todt a tour of the Korea track on a rare visit to a grand prix for the Frenchman.
"It's good for us and good for him I think," the Briton is quoted by the Reuters news agency.
Other media reports insist there are definite political rumblings in the background, with Mosley and Ecclestone reportedly unhappy about Todt's moves to change statutes and preparing a power coup.
Todt dismissed those "speculation" reports. "We are serious people," said Todt. "I have known Max for many years and I would never have been a candidate if he had wanted to stay.
Ecclestone openly scolded one of Todt's chief deputies, after FIA senate president Nick Craw this week said the governing body should reinforce the 90-day inspection rule for new venues.
"When Nick Craw runs the races, he can do what he likes," said Ecclestone. "The trouble is that people don't know what they are doing and what they are talking about half the time," he added.
Meanwhile, Todt insists the FIA cannot guarantee historic Spa-Francorchamps' place on the annual formula one calendar. The much-loved Belgian venue is struggling with profits and facing down Bernie Ecclestone's threat that one or two European races will need to be scrapped to make room for incoming events in the US and Russia.
"We hope the Belgian grand prix will be on the calendar for a long time, because it is a fantastic circuit. But when the money runs out, there is a problem," explained the Frenchman.
Bernie Ecclestone has applauded a hands-off approach for the governing FIA's new president.
After Max Mosley's controversial 16-year reign, former Ferrari team boss Jean Todt took over for 2010 and has had a low-profile on formula one matters so far.
"He's got on with the other things that needed looking after," said F1 chief executive Ecclestone, after giving Todt a tour of the Korea track on a rare visit to a grand prix for the Frenchman.
"It's good for us and good for him I think," the Briton is quoted by the Reuters news agency.
Other media reports insist there are definite political rumblings in the background, with Mosley and Ecclestone reportedly unhappy about Todt's moves to change statutes and preparing a power coup.
Todt dismissed those "speculation" reports. "We are serious people," said Todt. "I have known Max for many years and I would never have been a candidate if he had wanted to stay.
Ecclestone openly scolded one of Todt's chief deputies, after FIA senate president Nick Craw this week said the governing body should reinforce the 90-day inspection rule for new venues.
"When Nick Craw runs the races, he can do what he likes," said Ecclestone. "The trouble is that people don't know what they are doing and what they are talking about half the time," he added.
Meanwhile, Todt insists the FIA cannot guarantee historic Spa-Francorchamps' place on the annual formula one calendar. The much-loved Belgian venue is struggling with profits and facing down Bernie Ecclestone's threat that one or two European races will need to be scrapped to make room for incoming events in the US and Russia.
"We hope the Belgian grand prix will be on the calendar for a long time, because it is a fantastic circuit. But when the money runs out, there is a problem," explained the Frenchman.