Newly-elected FIA president Jean Todt says that he intends to work towards a harmonious relationship between the governing body and Formula 1's teams, but warned that they must drive down the cost of competing in the sport.
Todt, who replaces Max Mosley after his 16 years in power, landed an overwhelming victory over Ari Vatanen in Friday's FIA presidential election.
"It will be a harmonious relationship," the former Ferrari team principal told Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, when asked about how he will work with FOTA. "That's necessary to improve everything.
"It will also be necessary to reduce costs: considering the time we live in, carrying on at these levels is absurd."
Todt added that he did not intend to instigate sweeping changes in the way the FIA is run, but said that his methods of governing would be different from Mosley's.
"I'm against who said we must change it at all cost," he said. "Not everything needs to be binned. We need constructive change. What was true ten years ago isn't true anymore now, for both road mobility and for the sport.
"I feel affection for Mosley, but we are different in our culture, studies, and nationalities. There are many things I see differently from him.
"I, as president, have to be content with indicating the path while being less present," he added, speaking of the role of commissioners to oversee individual areas of motorsport.
Asked about what new technologies he would like to see introduced into F1, Todt replied: "Mosley was right in defending KERS. The constructors will have to work hard to reduce the impact on the environment. They can't keep their eyes shut anymore."
Todt also said that Ferrari would be expected to tow the line along with all of F1 teams, despite revealing that he still considered himself a close friend of the Italian team's president Luca di Montezemolo.
"Our relationship will be excellent," said Todt, referring to speculation that the pair had fallen out. "I was sorry to read that my bond with Montezemolo has turned sour. That's all bullshit.
"In fact, the night before the election he sent me a very nice text message. I will never forget the 16 years spent in Maranello. But, even though it's the most famous and powerful team in F1, it will have to respect the rules."
News from Formula One in the Formation Lap.
Showing posts with label Todt. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Todt. Show all posts
Sunday, 25 October 2009
Friday, 23 October 2009
Todt: Now is time for FIA unity
Newly elected FIA president Jean Todt has called on the governing body to be unified in the forthcoming days, following a bitter fight between himself and rival Ari Vatanen.
With the last days of the election battle being marred by threats of court action plus suggestions of unfair lobbying and vote buying, Todt has said he hopes that even those who voted against him can now look to a future in which the FIA works together to sort out its problems.
Speaking at a news conference after the election result, Todt was quoted as saying by Reuters: "I like action, I like to make things go forward and I am really happy to see that so many countries chose me but everything is yet to be done.
"The day the election is over, everybody must share the same goals, including those who did not support me. I am not closing the door to anybody."
Todt has said he will see through his plan to appoint commissioners to each of the FIA's world championships - and he has even hinted that friend Michael Schumacher could get a role within the governing body.
"I want to nominate commissioners because I am not intending to run Formula 1 as a first person," he said. "I don't want to underestimate the problems but success in my career has always been to have the right people in my teams."
Speaking about Schumacher, he said: "He is like a son. There has always been a place for him next to me and there will still be."
Todt's success in the election was welcomed by outgoing president Max Mosley, who was sure that the FIA could now look forward to a bright future.
"I'm happy with the outcome of the vote because FIA is in very good hands," Mosley told The Associated Press. "Todt is very capable of handling the job - he is a very honest and direct man. We couldn't have had somebody better than him."
With total confidence in Todt, Mosley said there was no suggestion of him maintaining any influence over the governing body.
"It's a relief because you never stop working at this post," he said. "You are always worried when incidents occur. It was a good time for me to leave. I'm going to take a holiday and then we'll see. As we say, the devil makes work for idle hands."
With the last days of the election battle being marred by threats of court action plus suggestions of unfair lobbying and vote buying, Todt has said he hopes that even those who voted against him can now look to a future in which the FIA works together to sort out its problems.
Speaking at a news conference after the election result, Todt was quoted as saying by Reuters: "I like action, I like to make things go forward and I am really happy to see that so many countries chose me but everything is yet to be done.
"The day the election is over, everybody must share the same goals, including those who did not support me. I am not closing the door to anybody."
Todt has said he will see through his plan to appoint commissioners to each of the FIA's world championships - and he has even hinted that friend Michael Schumacher could get a role within the governing body.
"I want to nominate commissioners because I am not intending to run Formula 1 as a first person," he said. "I don't want to underestimate the problems but success in my career has always been to have the right people in my teams."
Speaking about Schumacher, he said: "He is like a son. There has always been a place for him next to me and there will still be."
Todt's success in the election was welcomed by outgoing president Max Mosley, who was sure that the FIA could now look forward to a bright future.
"I'm happy with the outcome of the vote because FIA is in very good hands," Mosley told The Associated Press. "Todt is very capable of handling the job - he is a very honest and direct man. We couldn't have had somebody better than him."
With total confidence in Todt, Mosley said there was no suggestion of him maintaining any influence over the governing body.
"It's a relief because you never stop working at this post," he said. "You are always worried when incidents occur. It was a good time for me to leave. I'm going to take a holiday and then we'll see. As we say, the devil makes work for idle hands."
Reaction from Ferrari
Montezemolo: "Best wishes for good work to Todt"
Maranello, 23 October 2009 - Jean Todt, former Head of the Scuderia and Ferrari CEO, has been nominated FIA President today. In a press release from FOTA Ferrari Chairman Luca di Montezemolo declared: "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."
Maranello, 23 October 2009 - Jean Todt, former Head of the Scuderia and Ferrari CEO, has been nominated FIA President today. In a press release from FOTA Ferrari Chairman Luca di Montezemolo declared: "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."
Todt wins FIA presidential election
Jean Todt has become the new most powerful man in world motorsport after triumphing in Friday’s FIA presidential election.
The former Ferrari team boss resoundingly defeated rival candidate Ari Vatanen in a vote of the FIA’s worldwide membership, Todt achieving over two thirds of the vote in the secret ballot at the governing body’s Paris headquarters.
The 63-year-old Frenchman received 135 votes to Vatanen's 49 with 12 abstentions and succeeds long-time incumbent Max Mosley with immediate effect, Mosley having decided not to seek a fifth term of office and instead throw his weight behind Todt as his successor.
"Jean Todt has been elected President of the FIA for a four-year term by the FIA General Assembly at its annual meeting in Paris," an FIA statement said.
Although his bid was publicly backed by Mosley, Todt has stressed he has his own ideas for the governing body and is keen to bring about measured change while building on the FIA’s current strengths.
His major election pledges for Formula 1 centered on the creation of an F1 Commissioner and an independent disciplinary panel.
Confirmation of Todt's victory brings to an end Mosley eventful, and often controversial, 16-year reign at the top of international motorsport.
The Englishman had been returned to office on three occasions since first becoming FIA president in 1993 following two years as head of the governing body’s FISA arm, which at the time oversaw FIA-sanctioned racing events including F1.
As a former president Mosley will retain an honorary seat on the FIA Senate, but he has insisted he will only play a small role at the governing body from now on.
The election battle between Todt and Vatanen had become increasingly bitter in the weeks leading up to Friday's vote, with the latter having expressed concerns about Mosley's public support of Todt and the way in which the vote was to be conducted.
Vatanen, a former rally champion and MEP, had campaigned on a 'change' ticket, presenting himself as the man to transform the FIA and take it into a new, more conciliatory, era after recent well-documented rows with F1 teams
The former Ferrari team boss resoundingly defeated rival candidate Ari Vatanen in a vote of the FIA’s worldwide membership, Todt achieving over two thirds of the vote in the secret ballot at the governing body’s Paris headquarters.
The 63-year-old Frenchman received 135 votes to Vatanen's 49 with 12 abstentions and succeeds long-time incumbent Max Mosley with immediate effect, Mosley having decided not to seek a fifth term of office and instead throw his weight behind Todt as his successor.
"Jean Todt has been elected President of the FIA for a four-year term by the FIA General Assembly at its annual meeting in Paris," an FIA statement said.
Although his bid was publicly backed by Mosley, Todt has stressed he has his own ideas for the governing body and is keen to bring about measured change while building on the FIA’s current strengths.
His major election pledges for Formula 1 centered on the creation of an F1 Commissioner and an independent disciplinary panel.
Confirmation of Todt's victory brings to an end Mosley eventful, and often controversial, 16-year reign at the top of international motorsport.
The Englishman had been returned to office on three occasions since first becoming FIA president in 1993 following two years as head of the governing body’s FISA arm, which at the time oversaw FIA-sanctioned racing events including F1.
As a former president Mosley will retain an honorary seat on the FIA Senate, but he has insisted he will only play a small role at the governing body from now on.
The election battle between Todt and Vatanen had become increasingly bitter in the weeks leading up to Friday's vote, with the latter having expressed concerns about Mosley's public support of Todt and the way in which the vote was to be conducted.
Vatanen, a former rally champion and MEP, had campaigned on a 'change' ticket, presenting himself as the man to transform the FIA and take it into a new, more conciliatory, era after recent well-documented rows with F1 teams
Thursday, 27 August 2009
FOTA to meet with Vatanen, Todt
Formula 1 team principals are to meet with FIA presidential hopeful Ari Vatanen at this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix, AUTOSPORT has learned, before seeing his rival Jean Todt later in the year.
The Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA) has agreed to meet with Vatanen on Saturday at Spa-Francorchamps to discuss the former world rally champion's proposals for the future of the governing body.
Although teams have no say in the outcome of the election, with the presidency decided by FIA member clubs, the F1 team principals are still eager to see what the potential future presidents have to say about their plans.
FOTA also plans to meet with Todt during the Frenchman's visit to the Singapore Grand Prix in September, which will be the first time the former Ferrari team principal will visit an F1 race since confirming his intention to stand for the FIA role. That meeting will take place on the Friday ahead of the GP.
The Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA) has agreed to meet with Vatanen on Saturday at Spa-Francorchamps to discuss the former world rally champion's proposals for the future of the governing body.
Although teams have no say in the outcome of the election, with the presidency decided by FIA member clubs, the F1 team principals are still eager to see what the potential future presidents have to say about their plans.
FOTA also plans to meet with Todt during the Frenchman's visit to the Singapore Grand Prix in September, which will be the first time the former Ferrari team principal will visit an F1 race since confirming his intention to stand for the FIA role. That meeting will take place on the Friday ahead of the GP.
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