Jean Todt has confirmed that he will contest David Ward for FIA presidency re-election, keen to remain as FIA president for a second term.
The Frenchman told reporters in the Monza paddock that he will challenge Ward, who recently outlined his intentions and plans for the future should he be elected as FIA president.
It doesn't come as much of a surprise with many expecting Todt to stand for re-election, although there was no official confirmation.
Talking to reporters on Saturday he said: "Yesterday it was announced that campaigning for election was opening, and I will go for it. I really do respect [Ward] and you must respect the freedom of everyone, but I have a lot of support."
He also admitted that he feels his job at the FIA is not yet completed and that he still has plenty to do: "There is no speculation - I will go for it. We have started something (at the FIA). It is like climbing a mountain. We try to climb up and up, and we are at 3,000 metres, but there is still some way to go."
However Todt is very relaxed about the up-coming elections and being challenged by Ward: "It is now the FIA community who will decide if they want to elect me or not. Honestly, I am very relaxed on that."
He also told reporters that his role has opened him up to criticism and that he is more comfortable to stay out of the spotlight from the media: "Sometimes I make mistakes, but I am a human being, and hopefully I do sometimes good things. It is not in my nature to have a very high profile, to be a dictator.
"For me with harmony and consensus you get much better. It is my way of running, of leading... I will not get into controversy or react to what somebody has been saying or not saying. Honestly I am too old for that."
Todt has been FIA president since October 2009 after a highly successful career in motor sport management with Peugeot in world rallying and Ferrari.
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| (c) Octane Photographic |
It doesn't come as much of a surprise with many expecting Todt to stand for re-election, although there was no official confirmation.
Talking to reporters on Saturday he said: "Yesterday it was announced that campaigning for election was opening, and I will go for it. I really do respect [Ward] and you must respect the freedom of everyone, but I have a lot of support."
He also admitted that he feels his job at the FIA is not yet completed and that he still has plenty to do: "There is no speculation - I will go for it. We have started something (at the FIA). It is like climbing a mountain. We try to climb up and up, and we are at 3,000 metres, but there is still some way to go."
However Todt is very relaxed about the up-coming elections and being challenged by Ward: "It is now the FIA community who will decide if they want to elect me or not. Honestly, I am very relaxed on that."
He also told reporters that his role has opened him up to criticism and that he is more comfortable to stay out of the spotlight from the media: "Sometimes I make mistakes, but I am a human being, and hopefully I do sometimes good things. It is not in my nature to have a very high profile, to be a dictator.
"For me with harmony and consensus you get much better. It is my way of running, of leading... I will not get into controversy or react to what somebody has been saying or not saying. Honestly I am too old for that."
Todt has been FIA president since October 2009 after a highly successful career in motor sport management with Peugeot in world rallying and Ferrari.
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