Ari Vatanen former world rally champion throws hat in ring for FIA presidency

07 July 2009 19:03
Mosley agreed two weeks ago that he would not stand for a fifth term in October. His decision was widely seen as the deciding factor in a deal that saw eight of Formula One's teams step back from the brink of forming a breakaway series.[LNB]However, angered by what he saw as "deliberately misleading" comments and perceived gloating by the Formula One Teams Association in the wake of the deal, Mosley says he is reconsidering his future.[LNB] Related ArticlesJapanese GP in dangerEcclestone sorry for praising HitlerSport on televisionFOTA seeks neutral successor to FIA chief Max Mosley, ruling out Jean TodtFIA president Max Mosley warns Formula One teams that breakaway series still possibleFormula One breakaway averted as teams force FIA president Max Mosley outMosley was particularly riled – or rather, he claims that his members were – by what he saw as FOTA's attempts to have a say in the hiring or firing of an FIA president, an elected representative.[LNB]Toyota team president John Howett told reporters that the teams would like to see a 'neutral figure' succeed Mosley, with Vatanen understood to be their preferred candidate.[LNB]The Finn, 57, won the world rally title in 1981, the Paris-Dakar rally four times, and was a member of the European Parliament from 1999 until this year.[LNB]A popular figure within the sport, Vatanen has been approached before to stand against Mosley and is a former team-mate of Prodrive chairman David Richards, whose application to join the grid in 2010 was rejected by the FIA last month.[LNB]"I'm consulting the member clubs and am already seeing positive feedback," Vatanen said. "I think the time has come for a change. I would go for it, even if not sure of winning."[LNB]Vatanen will have his work cut out if Mosley does stand again. The election process requires candidates to nominate a 22-strong 'cabinet' in advance, with no one allowed to be on two lists. This system tends to favour the incumbent.[LNB]Mosley is hugely influential and already has the backing of the hierarchy. If he decides not to stand again, he is likely to throw his weight behind former Ferrari team principal Jean Todt, who is being sold to the FIA as a 'strong man' capable of standing up to the manufacturer teams.[LNB]Mosley's wariness of the manufacturer teams is famous and was highlighted again yesterday when certain unsuccessful applicants to next year's grid alleged their entries had been rejected on the grounds that they were not planning to use independent Cosworth engines.[LNB]The FIA rejected this, although it admitted that it considers the availability of an independent supply of engines "essential" if the sport does not want to be "at the mercy of the car industry".[LNB]Meanwhile, the future of the Japanese Grand Prix has been thrown into doubt by Fuji International Speedway's decision not to host the race in 2010. Toyota, the track's owner, has blamed cost-cutting needs amid the global economic downturn.[LNB]The Fuji circuit had agreed to alternate with the Honda-owned Suzuka track, where this year's race will be held in October. Suzuka has not said whether it would be prepared to host the race every year.[LNB]Former world champion Jacques Villeneuve has announced that he has fallen back "in love" with Formula One and would like a drive next year.[LNB]The 38 year-old added that he wants to spice up the paddock. "No one speaks out any more," he said. [LNB]"That's what loses fans. People want to see gladiators, instead they all sound like they love each other." [LNB] 

Source: Telegraph