Jean Todt vs Ari Vatanen (Poll)
Todt handed over the reigns at Ferrari to Domenicali before pursuing the FIA job
After beating Jean-Marie Balestre in 1991, Max Mosley never had to face an opponent in an FIA election.
But his successor will: this October Mosley’s preferred choice Jean Todt will stand against ‘independent candidate’ Ari Vatanen. But which is the right man for the job?
Who do you want to be FIA president?
- Ari Vatanen (77%)
- Jean Todt (14%)
- No opinion (5%)
- Neither (4%)
Total Voters: 2,525
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As I suspect will be the case for a lot of fans, Vatanen is the one I pick instictively because he’s not backed by Max Mosley.
I don’t know how Todt can keep a straight face when he talks about “the outstanding work of President Mosley, who for 16 years has worked tirelessly to strengthen the FIA’s major motorsport championships,” when all three major series – F1, the World Rally Championship and World Touring Car Championship – are beset by long-standing rows over their future technical rules which Mosley has singularly failed to resolve.
Anyone who looks at Mosley’s track record – particularly over the last four years – and concludes that what F1 needs is more of the same, is the last person who should be in charge of the sport.
I knew relatively little about Vatanen before I wrote an article about him last week for this site, and on the whole I liked what I found. Pragmatim and practicalities first, politics second – that sums up Vatanen’s style for me and it’s exactly what the FIA needs.
But make no mistake – the odds are against Vatanen. Todt can count on the support of the same allies of Mosley who last year felt even the ‘spankgate’ episode was not a good enough reason to depose him. He has revealed little about his campaign so far, and with the elections just three months away, he needs to make rapid progress. Todt has in all likelihood been groomed for this position by Mosley for several years. Vatanen told this site he first considered the position several years ago, but would he have done so had he not lost his EU Parliament seat?
Who are you hoping will win the election? Would you rather see a different candidate stand?
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Wayne said on 21st July 2009, 12:03
I voted for Ari. His approach and personality would be a welcome change for the FIA, the sports and the fans who are fed up with politics.
If not Ari, I’d want the straight talking Paul Stoddart at the helm of the FIA, now wouldn’t that be something :-D.
mp4-19b said on 21st July 2009, 13:38
i’m sure he’ll not support Torro Rosso, unlike jean tadpole.
Journeyer (@journeyer) said on 21st July 2009, 12:05
I voted for Ari, but he might tell you that this poll is missing someone: Michel Boeri.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/5873385/Ari-Vatanen-lets-rip-as-race-for-FIA-presidency-goes-into-overdrive.html
Prometheus said on 21st July 2009, 12:47
It’s funny that in a similar poll at a German motorsports news site, Jean Todt beat Ari Vatanen (43% to 39%) while over here the votes are clearly in the Finn’s favour. The reason for this has to be the association of Todt with the successful Schumacher-Ferrari days because the majority of the German fans also wants Max Mosley’s reign to end.
For those who can read it, here’s the outcome of that poll: http://www.motorsport-total.com/f1/splitter/2009/07/Fans_wollen_Todt_als_neuen_FIA-Praesidenten_09072004.html
Patrickl said on 21st July 2009, 22:15
Or they are simply less educated. The people here get a lot of detailed info from Keith. Including the interview he did with Vatanen. I doubt many of the German voters even know what Vatanen stands for and if so then they would simply vote for the best known option.
Woffin said on 21st July 2009, 13:06
As said earlier, FIA isn’t just F1. Vatanen comes from a rallying background so he would be useful in sorting out the mess that the WRC is in at the moment. The WTCC could definitely do with a helping hand as well. F1 is in dire need of someone to take control and provide answers and support that is beneficial to both the teams and Formula One itself. I feel with Vatanen’s no-nonesense, get things done, attitude towards things, he could be excellent!
Jean Todt would be a major no no in my eyes. He wasn’t always the most transparent figure when he ran Ferrari and when you are the president of the FIA, transparency is absolutely essential for the way forward these days. Also, the whole connection with Ferrari would put a lot of people off. The ‘favouritism’ conspiracy theorists would have a field day if he were elected and I dont feel even us normal fans would ever have a true sense that there was no bias in the FIA.
Just my thoughts anyways :)
PJA said on 21st July 2009, 13:18
I voted for Vatanen but I would like to see some more candidates but I think the fact they have to have their cabinet in place stops they being a lot of candidates.
I don’t like Mosley so the propsect of more of the same is the last thing I want. However even if Todt was independent of Mosley his history with Ferrari would rule him out of the job for me, it would be the same if Ron Dennis was a candidate.
David said on 21st July 2009, 13:24
Voted for Vatanen because of this:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8331071158532347663
DASMAN said on 21st July 2009, 14:40
@mp4-19b
Accusing ferrari of cheating is laughable. What proof do you have to offer? The most dubious thing Todt can be accused of is telling RB to let Michael thru in Austria 2002.
On the other hand – your favoured team has been involved too many scandles to mention.
That said I don’t really want anyone who has links to current F1 teams to be president, altho its not easy to find anyone who has not been associated with a major manufacturer who knows anything about motorsport.
We also have to bear in mind Todts motorsport history – his time with Ferrari was only a short part in his career. He has been associated with numerous other teams and manufacturers, which improves his standing in my view.
I’m undecided…
Jason said on 21st July 2009, 16:06
“As I suspect will be the case for a lot of fans, Vatanen is the one I pick instictively because he’s not backed by Max Mosley.”
Bingo.
mp4-19b said on 21st July 2009, 16:43
SCUNNYMAN ONCE SAID:———->>>>
Max Mosley is a SOCIOPATH….they have no scruples, no feelings and certainly don’t care about anybody or anything other than themselves. One form is Dissocial personality Disorder.
Callous unconcern for the feelings of others and lack of the capacity for empathy.
Gross and persistent attitude of irresponsibility and disregard for social norms, rules, and obligations.
Incapacity to maintain enduring relationships, though having no difficulty in establishing them.
Very low tolerance to frustration and a low threshold for discharge of aggression, including violence.
Incapacity to experience guilt and to profit from experience, particularly punishment.
Marked proneness to blame others or to offer plausible rationalizations for the behavior bringing the subject into conflict.
Persistent irritability
Glibness/superficial charm
Grandiose sense of self-worth
Pathological lying
Cunning/manipulative
Lack of remorse or guilt
Emotionally shallow
Callous/lack of empathy
Failure to accept responsibility for own actions
Do any of the above description remind you of a certain Mr M????????
& Jean Todt aka YODA & DOBBY is being endorsed by Mr M. What else can i say?? no wonder why SCUNNY doesn’t follow Formula 1 anymore!! Many including myself might follow his footsteps if the french frog is elected. that will sink the sport for ever :(
Gman said on 21st July 2009, 17:54
Ari gets my vote without a doubt…it’s not even a close contest to me. However, the WMSC will surely make it a bit closer than our poll represents here :(
GeorgeK said on 21st July 2009, 18:04
Surely Keith you knew (As we all did) the outcome of this poll? Now if we can just extrapolate it into a few million votes and pass on the results to the voting members of the FIA, maybe Ari would have a chance at winning this rigged horse race.
F1Fan said on 21st July 2009, 19:10
Keith,
what happened to the “Thoughts on the start” columns this year ? They were quite interesting last year.
Wesley said on 21st July 2009, 22:05
No doubt having an ex-racer heading the FIA would benefit the fans.GO ARI!
dwp said on 21st July 2009, 22:14
I voted for Vatanen because I think he will be good for ALL motorsport, not just F1.
I don’t expect him to win but expect the money to win, and F1 is where the most money is, hence Todt. In the end I think that will be bad for the sport and bad for F1.
Still, I very much hope Vatanen wins. Here is a chance for the WMSC to show they are not a bunch of sheep following, what I think has been, the worst president ever.
Gusto said on 21st July 2009, 23:37
Come on Keith your slacking!, 192 votes from Todt@hotmail.com :-)