Vatanen appeared on the BBC build up and his talk seemed to be complete bullshit. The general message seemed to be OK, but other than that it was amateurish BS.

I think Todt is a proven successful leader and manager and he knows F1 and WRC thoroughly. On the other side I am afraid of his partiality towards Ferrari.

Still, I think Todt is a solid candidate.

At least isn't a lawyer. Mosley talks well but is full of shit

I don't know if Vatanen is the best possible candidate, don't agree with all his views, but I think he would do ok.

This is hardly the appropriate thread to reignite that debate. Your point is noted, but the fact remains that Spygate was not a product of Todt's creation. Retropectively, everyone involved could have handled the circumstances differently, but to single out Todt is patently stupid.

If Todt got voted in I'd look for another sport to follow.
Just the sight of the bloke makes me want to strangle him, smug little weasle....

How could it even be considered that the FIA president would be a recent F1 team boss? It's insane like having one of the football teams coach be the referee in the WC final. Can't believe it.

But Vatanen would do well to go to some english vocal coach soon..

max backs todt because he doesn't want him elected...it's pretty clear his backing is a "curse".
todt has been an awesome manager for the companies he ran.
this time he would run fia, there is no reason why he can't be a great manager for fia

Yes there wasn't much substance in his message.
He was basically saying: "I'll bring change and I want everybody to be happy and to get along"
Not a very strong message imo.

But still he's the only official candidate I've heard of for now.

Agreed. I barely understood a word he said in the BBC interview, I had to read the transcript afterwards

Well it's Todt we're discussing in this thread. So go easy on the 'stupid' . Not to mention that if anyone can be said to have created spygate it would be the guy who alienated Stepney with that strange round of staff changes.

Anyway his behaviour in spygate was extremely aggressive and unsporting, that's the way he is. It makes him unsuitable as FIA president, however hard-working and able he is. He's a conflict guy, like Max.

I am gonna choose Todt, simply coz as a Ferrari fan, he has a familar face, and he doesn't look like Mosley, and he has a hot woman lol. But those are superficial remarks. I really just hope that whomever does become president does a great job and all involved are happy.

Total BS to turn this into a "religious" argument. Your anti-Christian sentiments don't stack up with track record of Christian leaders who have achieved HUGE political victories even though politically unpopular by the lazy-minded incumbents. William Wilberforce and Rev Martin Luther King Jr to name just two. Your inference of alcohol abstention is childish and intellectual ignorance. Christianity isn't any more an indicator of teetotal than atheism is an indicator of alcoholic, this is just some silly preconception and bias.

I don't know if Ari is the best candidate as the nominations haven't closed yet but I would no more vote for him because he claims to follow a Christian lifestyle as vote for someone who doesn't claim it. I would consider what a candidate may have to offer and if that happens to be honesty and transparency hen that would be a start. In any case there's nothing I can do to influence the vote, I'm dismayed that the same figure of around 15% who thought Max was think Todt is . i guess you could say it's transference of allegiance from one to the other.

One thing that really the world of motorsport needs is someone who not only IS honest and impartial but IS SEEN TO BE these things. This would put Todt as an unwise choice because of his recent association with Ferrari. How would it look if ex-McLaren boss Ron Dennis were elected? I am sure that Todt is a capable political animal but he would not represent a "new broom" which nearly everyone believes (except Max) we need. Most would consider his election akin to a political selection by his intensely unpopular predecessor.

I had images in my head of Ari beating a bible and after the comments of Ari being a staunch Christian, but after visiting his personal site, http://www.arivatanen.com/EN/home.html , it seems to me that he doesn't outwardly express his religious views, rather than allowing them to set a standard to which he personally lives by. He doesn't seem to be a corruptible type of guy, which IMO, Todt is. There should be severance of team association and the Presidential position, especially with someone as entrenched within Ferrari as Todt is/was, as any decision Todt makes which may serve to benefit Ferrari, even if it is fair and just, will be treated with suspicion, and that can't be considered good for the sport. And as for the "green" thing, there is more evidence of Ari being pro-active than there is of Jean Todt doing so.

As a staunch Atheist, I have no problem with a Christian being the Pres of the FIA, as long as they can keep the separation of church and state thing going.
I do, however, have a problem with Jean Todt becoming the Pres. He will not, IMO, be looking after the interests of the sport as a whole.

Really though, the later seems destined to fill the role...such a shame.

Slightly OT but Todt was wanting to retire before Michael retired but was prevailed upon to keep the dynasty going. This was from an i/v with F1 Racing about 2004 I think. I would be interested to see where your reference to him being "pushed" by LdM comes from....

Good point.

Totally respect your POV and honesty klyster. Separation of church and state has generally been regarded as the best position by both sides, especially in Europe, for many decades if not a century or more.

My only quibble is that we don't know for certain that Todt would not look after "the interests of the sport as a whole" - the problem is about perception IMO. There would always be a taint to decisions involving Ferrari - F1 needs a break from controversy with an even handed and "sober" leader of the FIA who doesn't become too "personally" involved in F1 issues but fosters a strong and responsible team approach.

Apart from the Ferrari stuff, isn't Jean Todt's son Nicolas still Massa's manager?

Yeah, it is about perception ;) I have no real Idea if Todt would act with integrity and transparency and in the interest of the whole sport, but in my own opinion, I see that as highly unlikely.
I'm probably wrong, but that's just my take.
Having Max Mosley endorse you doesn't help your cause much either...

I wonder why they don't promote an FIA member to president?
Surely they must one person suitable for the position?

I found his website English easy enough to understand even though not "perfect english". I think he should get some more practice in the driver's seat - see about 4.10 into this Pikes Peak run.... seriously off-line there Ari!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKgeCQGu_ug

Would be good to have a former racer with political experience in the FIA role but lets not discount other nominations in the coming weeks.

I've seen political dictatorships before and they usually end up creating a vacuum of talent. Word is though that "Vicky" from India could be a shoe-in.

y

I think that's a very good point.

Or it could be the other way around.

The choice depends on one's preferences as to the role of FIA. If you want a strong FIA with a smart, technically savvy president, of the current names suggested Todt is your man. If you want FIA to stay relatively anonymous like every other governing body of every other sport, Vatanen seems to be the better choise (don't know much about him, but I do know that Todt tends to rule with an iron fist). I prefer the latter. I've had enough of the one man show that FIA has become. The rules as we have them now are decent enough; any further knee-jerk changes are wholly undesirable.

I concur - though one could argue the match was Todt's treatment of Stepney and the fire that raged afterward was triggered by that flame.

Oh and there HAS to be another candidate surely?

Of the two, I favor Todt, because of his immense knowledge of F1. I don't regard his knowledge of Ferrari as a disadvantage, since Ferrari pulls considerable spectator appeal, and many think represents the core of F1.

But without a clear job description, a clear strategic course plotted out for the FIA and also for those organisations it directly effects, a clear mission cannot be formulated. So I don't even know really what either candidate intends to do.

Todt's lack of political ability could turn out to be a negative.

There is no surprise there, since Mosley had praised Todt for weeks.


Have read nothing from Todt himself. On the other hand what I read from Vatanen about a "time for a change" sounded very political and unclear. Is he the FOTA candidate?

Todt could make a good FIA boss because instead of steering things into shit, all he might do is take a coin out of his pocket and let gravity decide.

Todt isn't a Ferrari man, he'll do the best job wherever he goes and to get there, he can and most likely will sever his ties to Ferrari.

Either way, I don't know anything about Vatanen and neither do most people.

Mosley might be supporting Todt, but is Todt even interested? Vatanen has at least been doing the rounds; he was sighted in the Nurburgring paddock. Where has Todt been lately?

And what's to say Mosley's support for him will count for anything? Now that they're set to be free of him, those with the ability to vote can do so however they want.

There's a great article on him by Keith Collantine over at F1 Fanatic. It's an opinion piece, but Collantine's articles are usually pretty insigthful. This is what he has to say:

FIA and Ferrari's relationship fell apart after Todt left ("Ferrrari International Assistance" which Brundle referred to last race) , and they stopped getting their previous treatment. Combined with Max's endorsement, it's enough for me to back a total stranger rather then this man. With Todt it would be similar problems to the past, at least with these new guy any problems would be of a new hopefully less corrupt variety.

What is the link between Mosley and Todt exactly?

he was probably quoting the India Times, according to them that's what FIA stands for
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Editori...how/4693339.cms

It is not too late to give the money back to Mclaren.

I believe he was being facetious.

Tell that to Mclaren

He gets my vote. At the very least he will bring badly needed integrity, transparency and fairness to FIA.

I voted for Todt as I like him, but I think Vatanen would be a more prudent pick overall. There is no need to have the Ferrari favouritism cloud hanging over F1 forever..

An excellent reason not to vote for Todt.

I read he is in Africa, drumming up votes. He flew their in the FIA's bus jet. That's the one which the FIA bought from Bernie, when Bernie bought a new one. Who knows if there was a discount?

I've suspected that the jet lands in the small airport that is in London, which is ideal for smaller planes. One can catch an early morning commercial flight from Paris to London and land at that airport, I think in a jet smaller than a 737. It's not a very commercial airport. Only a few minutes from Max's BDSM flat I think ... I'm not sure if Max had the interior re-decorated after the FIA got the plane, perhaps its now not so tasteful inside, eh Jean?

Some posters here have been making some unsavory comments and referrences about the "third world" which at best is an insult to the countries so painted by some brainless twits in the west, and now Africa. Why on earth would these countries support J.T? Could it be just that they are lifting the middle finger to the west and if so could they be justified?

I think it might not be a bad idea to look a little behind the surface here but I may be asking for the impossible; old habbits die hard they say.

I know one guy, chairman of a "third world" automobile club that supported MM wholeheartedly because he got free trips to Paris and 5 star hotel stays all expenses paid.

And no I am not exaggerating or making it up, it was the actual reasoning used.

"Many a true word is said in jest."

He absolutely wasn't my friend. Mosley's hatred of Brundle is due to Martin's undisguised lack of affinity for the President's handling of affairs in the past handful of years. This is also what I take issue with. I would like you and others to bear in mind that like many, I used to be a supporter of the way Max "got things done". Unfortunately when the means become so draconian, no end will justify it. (My 50c...)

Actually I believe you, but do you think this type of corruption is limited to that section of the world? I strongly believe that Mosley been caught active in a BDSM movie would be enough reason why so many of these countries would naturally turn against him because such practises are frowned upon in those parts. I think the problem is that they feel marginalized and stopped caring. A simple change of attitude of inclusion would go a long way of not keeping guys like Mosley in power but in an environment where they are deliberately marginalized, you are more likely to see gestures of protest manifested in situations where they don't see themselves affected one way or the other.

I bet the west would have done the same things if the positions are reversed and they still do.

No offense but you have a strange way of portraying the world... you first ask a valid question then somehow manage to make another statement based on a similar type of prejudice.. it's not just the 'west' being put against of 'those parts'.. it's more complicated than that..

Basically it is a fact that some people are appealed to all-expenses-paid weekends in Paris and strictly speaking there is no reason not to use some video-conference thing... that's all there is to say about that regardless of the origin of the FIA club.

I am amazed some of you guys think Todt would be pro-Maranello my understanding is quite the reverse a lot of bad karma now exists.
In his end days at Ferrari Todt did immense damage to the Ferrari brand ---- rather than winning on the track they became seen as team more interested in winning in court and collecting points in sham races.

Those days are gone now the change for the better the Ferrari team is a joy to behold, the "bloody red cars" may not be winning at the moment but they will be back.

It doesn't matter which team(s) Todt would pick to be 'FIA-assisted'... the thing is he is Mosley's puppet and he would rule according to that flawed and corrupted philosophy with Mosley practically whispering in his ear..

Todt as an FIA President has a strange heritage to protect where Ferrari was at the receiving end of alot of shady advantages from the FIA... he's simply unfit for the job for so many reasons it's not funny...

It's almost like even the whores in Chelsea were aware Todt wasn't an acceptable candidate last year and tried to tell everyone before he had the chance to create some distance between himself and his employer..

I do not agree with your view on my view of the world.
What I meant was under normal circumstances, Mosley would have been out but was kept in power by those "third world" countries which should not be the case because of the attitude to BDSM in that part of the world. I was just trying to address the reason why they did not vote along with those that want him out. I don't think anyone can attribute this to some paid trips to some exclusive hotels in some exotic cities in the world only.

.
Your first sentence contradicts itself. Is he or isn't he a Ferrari man? You don't seem to know much about Todt...

A summary - he was a rally navigator with Peugeot and others rising to become Peugeot Rally chief (while Ari Vatanen was a works driver there).
He later stepped into manage Scuderia Ferrari (F1) during the Schumacher era. Retired two years ago and little has been heard of him since. His connection with Ferrari continues via his son Nicholas's management contract with Massa. His reputation for "getting the job done" is exemplary and he had a close personal friendship with Schumie. Much of Ferrari's success from 2000 - 2005 is in no small part due to JT.

Ari Vatanen was the Finnish Wild Child of World Rally winning the WRC in a Ford Escort RS1800 way back in 1981. He then raced for Peugeot in the dominant 205T16 4WD Turbo during the peak of the Group B era. He won 5 WRC events in a row in 1985 before suffering life threatening injuries in a crash in Rally Argentina. After 18 months recovery he continued to rally and race until 1998 winning 4 Paris to Dakar rallies and Pikes Peak in a 600HP Peugeot 405. He never won another WRC after his big crash but numerous seconds showed he had lost little speed.

From 1999 - 2009 Ari was a member of the European Parliament campaigning among other things for road safety issues and agriculture. If Dave Richards Prodrive outfit were to enter F1 Ari would have to declare a possible conflict as Dave Richards is a good friend since their rally days - 1979 - 81 as co-driver.

Given the FIA has a mandate to look after all international motorsport, not just F1, his lack of hands on experience in F1 is somewhat irrelevant. Remember too that WRC in the 80s was a more popular sport than F1, subsequently eroded by the need to ban the spectacular Gp B cars and more recently the mismanagement of WRC's rules by the FIA.

Todt is a very focussed and capable manager but his comparatively recent connection to a dark period in Ferrari's history (the overhyped Stepney scandal) would always draw suspicion of uneven governance in matters favouring Ferrari. A matter of perception but very important.
Ari would be a fresh face to blow away the deep divisions in the sport of F1 but it would be a very tough job if the FIA's position in the governance of F1 were to remain - this would seem unlikely with the recent revelations. There may be better candidates but Todt IMO would not be one because of baggage.

Vatanen of course. Todt by his background is unable to be impartial, obvious really.

But we are actually talking about individuals and not 'parts of the world'... thats the point I'm trying to get accross... the general attitude of the people in some country towards BDSM isn't really relevant..

We are, I think, basically saying the same thing... If the voice of any particular country was to be heard about Mosley he just wouldn't be there any longer... on the other hand if you only talk about some leaders in some clubs then the BDSM and the other silly aspects of Mosley's behavior are more easily 'accepted', since we're strictly talking about people travelling to Paris all-expenses-paid for no valid reasons.. amongst other things..

We've had nearly two decades under a failed politician, I think it would be lunacy to replace one with another. (They even look similar!).

Todt, despite his apparent partisanship, is without question an increadibly hardworking, successful manager. I think the FIA does need a strong man, and with the frostiness between Todt and Montzemelo I think any fear of FIA+t conspiracy can be put to bed.

Todt's number one responsbility has always been to the job he is in. So I think he would be the best choice to replace Max. Vatanen, to me, seems like a bit of a worm in comparison. A bit too soft for the role.

To be honest, he actually seems like a stooge. While we don't want a continuance of Mosley's style FIA, we don't want a lilly livered FIA either. For F1 to work all three vertices need to be strong. That includes the FIA as much as the teams and the CRH. If any one vertex is weak, the sport will be pulled in the wrong direction.

The teams are now strong, the CRH is increasingly asserting itself, the FIA must be strong too.