Frenchman Jean Todt has officially announced on Thursday that he will run for FIA presidency in replacement of the controversial Max Mosley.
Todt, the former boss of Peugeot Sport and Ferrari the news that was widely expected after he received the public backing of outgoing president Max Mosley yesterday.
Former world rally champion Ari Vatanen has also put himself forward.
Max Mosley confirmed on Wednesday that he will not seek re-election for another term and endorsed Todt as his "ideal" successor and encouraged the FIA member clubs to support him.
Interestingly, Vatanen was a Peugeot driver under Todt's orders. During the 1989 Paris-Dakar Rally, Peugeot was fighting for victory with Vatanen and Jacky Ickx, both driving identical 405T16s.
The battle became so intense that Vatanen rolled his car. The danger was that both Ickx and Vatanen might wipe themselves out of the event.
Todt decided that it was time for team orders and so called a truce. He took a 10-franc piece out of his pocket and tossed it into the air: heads would mean victory for Vatanen; tails would give the win to Ickx.
"Vatanen has won," said Mr. Todt.
Could the FIA elections for presidency be decided in a similar way?
photo:WRI2 & Peugeot Sport
Todt, the former boss of Peugeot Sport and Ferrari the news that was widely expected after he received the public backing of outgoing president Max Mosley yesterday.
Former world rally champion Ari Vatanen has also put himself forward.
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| Jean Todt and his driver Ari Vatanen during the infamous 1989 Paris-Dakar Rally. |
Max Mosley confirmed on Wednesday that he will not seek re-election for another term and endorsed Todt as his "ideal" successor and encouraged the FIA member clubs to support him.
Interestingly, Vatanen was a Peugeot driver under Todt's orders. During the 1989 Paris-Dakar Rally, Peugeot was fighting for victory with Vatanen and Jacky Ickx, both driving identical 405T16s.
The battle became so intense that Vatanen rolled his car. The danger was that both Ickx and Vatanen might wipe themselves out of the event.
Todt decided that it was time for team orders and so called a truce. He took a 10-franc piece out of his pocket and tossed it into the air: heads would mean victory for Vatanen; tails would give the win to Ickx.
"Vatanen has won," said Mr. Todt.
Could the FIA elections for presidency be decided in a similar way?
photo:WRI2 & Peugeot Sport