D-Day for F1 contenders Todt and Ari
FORMER Ferrari team boss Jean Todt and ex-rallying champion Ari Vatanen go head-to-head today in the battle to succeed Max Mosley as the president of world motorsport.
The two men are locking horns in the quest for votes in what has become an increasingly bitter election.
Indeed, just hours before the votes are counted, Todt stirred the pot further by accusing Vatanen of hypocrisy amid suggestions that both had touted high-profile figures in the sport for support.
Much of the concern around the paddock surrounds the policies of Frenchman Todt, who has the backing of out-going chief Mosley and seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, who he worked so successfully with over the years.
The F1 teams are concerned that Todt’s presidency would, in effect, be a continuation of the Mosley era, which has become synonymous with political turmoil. Todt, 63, has already guaranteed Mosley a seat on the FIA Senate, if elected, but a spokesman for Todt said: “Jean is Jean – he has his own style. Max and Jean both share a passion for the sport and a passion for the FIA, but Jean has a very distinctive approach.”
On the other hand, Vatanen, the Finnish World Rally champion in 1981, wants to adopt a new non-confrontational approach in a bid to bring an end to the in-house squabbling. Vatanen was furious at Mosley’s public backing of Todt and even began legal proceedings last week to ensure a fair election.
That has now been withdrawn, however, and the 57-year-old is putting on a united front. “F1 must stop being a battleground for various parties that don’t have an equal position,” he said. “We must have stable surroundings and a clear visibility. We can only do this by working together.”
A French court official will oversee today’s election with the winner announced after the meeting.