The election of Jean Todt as the new president of motorsport’s governing body is a chance for a new beginning for the administration of Formula 1.
The leadership of the previous FIA president, Max Mosley, had become identified with a period of bitter conflict, so Todt’s election is a chance for everyone involved to start afresh. Given how unpleasant things got earlier this year, that is no bad thing.
In fact, it is a consequence of the depths to which the relationship between the FIA and the F1 teams sank that Mosley’s 16-year as president has come to an end.
Earlier this year, Mosley’s agreement not to seek another term was critical to the resolution that ended the threat of eight of the sport’s 10 teams to break away and set up a rival championship.
Had he refused to stand down, and ploughed on with his plans to introduce a budget cap into F1, the sport would now be on the edge of a precipice, with next weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix the final race for F1 as the world knows it. BBC Sport
FOTA welcomes Jean Todt to the FIA Presidency The Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) today congratulated Jean Todt on his victory in the FIA presidential election, and welcomed him to his new position.
Speaking after the result of the election had been announced in Paris, FOTA Chairman Luca di Montezemolo said: “I would like to send my best wishes to Jean Todt in his new role, as I have always appreciated his ability, dedication and commitment. I am sure that, under his guidance, the Federation will be rejuvenated and will restore a climate open to dialogue and constructive collaboration with the teams and FOTA, thus ensuring stability of the regulations and the whole environment.”
“Formula One is about to embark on a new phase: all the stakeholders must work together with an eye to the future, to increase the credibility and interest generated by this sport, tackling the technical and environmental challenges that await it, while keeping unchanged, those characteristics that have made it one of the most popular disciplines on the world stage.”
FOTA Vice Chairman John Howett added: “I extend my best wishes to Jean Todt as he takes on this demanding but crucial role. I am convinced that Jean Todt’s presidency represents an opportunity for all Formula One’s stakeholders to unite under his leadership and work together to strengthen our sport. FOTA is looking forward to supporting him to broaden the appeal of our sport among fans and sponsors while respecting Formula One’s great heritage to which he has contributed enormously.”
