FIA election: Todt vs Vatanen
Mosley's successor will be elected today in Paris
Friday, 23, Oct 2009 09:34
By Adam Leveridge.
The election to decide who will take over from Max Mosley as president of the FIA takes place in Paris today.
Former world rally champion and member of the European parliament Ari Vatanen and ex-Ferrari team principal Jean Todt go head-to-head in the race to become the next FIA president.
Since Mosley announced his intention to stand down from his position, tempers have been frayed between the two opponents with Vatanen accusing the incumbent president of being in breach of French law by publicly backing Todt in the election.
Despite the fact that both Mosley and formula one supremo Bernie Ecclestone have expressed support for the former Ferrari boss, Vatanen has backing from of many of the teams and drivers in F1 and, although they have no say in the election, their support may have an impact on the result.
Both candidates are campaigning for dramatic change in the way the FIA is run, following much political angst in F1 in recent years under Mosley's reign.
The voting procedure is fairly complicated, although in simple terms, members either get one or two votes, depending on whether they represent sporting, mobility or both.
To win the election either Todt or Vatanen must receive one more than half of the total possible votes, however if there is no clear absolute majority a second round of voting will take place with the outcome decided on a simple majority of those votes.
Once the votes have been counted, an announcement will be made at a meeting of the General Assembly. Todt is tipped as the pole-sitter in the race, however it is still anybody's for the taking.