Formula 1News

Jean Todt Succeeds Max Mosley As FIA President

todt

Jean Todt has won the election to be the next President of the FIA following a vote of the General Assembly held on Friday in Paris.

Todt, the former Ferrari sporting director – and outgoing president Max Mosley’s preferred candidate – defeated former rally champion Ari Vatanen by 135 votes to 49. The Frenchman now holds a four-year mandate at the head of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile.

Also elected were Todt’s list of candidates: among the major nominations, Nick Craw (Automobile Competition Committee for the US) becomes President of the Senate, Brian Gibbons (Chief Executive, New Zealand Automobile Association) is named Deputy President Automobile Mobility & Tourism, and Graham Stoker (Council Chairman, Motor Sports Association UK) takes over the Deputy President Sport duties.

“I wish to acknowledge the extraordinary achievements of Max Mosley’s 16 years as President of the FIA in both sport and mobility,” Todt said during his campaign. “Under his leadership the sport has experienced unprecedented growth and global popularity. He has worked tirelessly to promote the FIA‘s major championships, and to make the sport as competitive, safe and affordable as possible. At all times he has strongly defended the independence and integrity of the Federation as the sport’s governing body.”

After graduating from the School of Economics and Business in Paris, Todt had a successful career as a rally co-driver from 1966 to 1981, culminating in championship success with Talbot Lotus.

He retired from competition and was appointed director of racing activities for Peugeot, where he founded the Peugeot Talbot Sport team. His team went on to win two rally constructors’ world championships, two rally drivers’ world championships and four victories at Paris-Dakar. Interestingly, Todt also managed Peugeot during Vatanen’s time with the team.

In 1990, Todt became director of racing activities at PSA Peugeot-Citroen Group, which won the Sportscar in 1992.

Todt joined Ferrari in 1993 as General Manager of its Racing Division.
By 2001, he was General Manager of all Sporting Activities of the Ferrari-Maserati Group and in 2006, he became Chief Executive Officer of Ferrari SpA. During Todt’s time with Ferrari, the team recorded 98 Grand Prix victories and 13 world titles.

From 1975 to 1981, Todt acted as representative of rally drivers to the rally commission and from 1981 to 1993, he represented the constructors. From 1993 to 2009, he acted as the Ferrari representative to the FIA World Council. In his final year with Ferrari, Todt worked as special advisor to the Ferrari Board chairman before retiring from the company in March 2009.

He has since continued his work in many capacities with the FIA and FIA Foundation, and in February 2007 was awarded the Grand Officier of the Légion d’Honneur, France’s second-highest honour.

“It is my intention to offer continuity but also to encourage change to meet the new challenges facing the sport and motoring in the years ahead,” 63-year-old Todt said. “We are living through a time of unprecedented change set against a hard economic environment. Despite the global recession the world’s automobile population is forecast to triple by 2050. New generations across the world will have the opportunity to enjoy the freedom of mobility that the car offers and it is the FIA’s responsibility to defend their right to safe, sustainable and affordable mobility.

“We must also make it easier for them to experience the passion and thrill of motorsport. Building on our experience and traditions, the FIA must be ready to shape and encourage this new era of global mobility and global motorsport.”

Earl ALEXANDER/D.B.
© CAPSIS International
via F1-Live

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    netmatrix
  • Oct 26, 2009
And...... Jean Todt has a Malaysian wife, has a Malaysian second home..... hey i'm not implying anything. hehehe.
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    A1Diablo
  • Oct 26, 2009
Did he actually get married to Yeoh?
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    netmatrix
  • Oct 26, 2009
Oppsss!!! Sorry its engaged. hahahaha
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    luqae
  • Nov 6, 2009
so the rules can be bend to meet the f1 lotus team need hehe....
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