Frenchman Jean Todt, president of the International Automobile Federation (FIA), formalized his candidacy for his own succession on Saturday in Monza, in the paddock of the Italian F1 Grand Prix. And he already knows his rival. An Englishman, David Ward, former right-hand man of Max Mosley, Jean Todt's predecessor in the presidential chair.
Unlike the French, who remained silent for a long time about his intentions, the Briton advanced his pawns very early. David Ward, 56, revealed his campaign program before the announcement of the outgoing president's candidacy. The document, entitled “Agenda for Change”, lists 20 proposals.
At the top of the list, the Briton proposes to modify the governance of motorsport. “The FIA can give the impression of being ancient and autocratic. The powers of the presidency are too broad to be effective. In some areas, the trend toward reform has been reversed. For example, the maximum period of activity of a president has increased from eight to twelve years. » A stone thrown into Jean Todt's garden.
David Ward wants the FIA to be more transparent and more responsive to its members, in four key areas: presidency and management, resources and club support, transparency and good governance, elections and procedures. He advocates the appointment of a general director and the creation of a board of directors. He also proposed that the president now provide more details on the FIA's income, and explain past expenses and future costs.
Unlike Jean Todt, involved in the project of building a new headquarters for the International Federation in Geneva, the Briton says he wants to stay in Paris, where the FIA occupies part of a historic building on the Place of Concord.
Jean Todt, 67, former rally co-driver and then director of Peugeot Sport and Scuderia Ferrari, was elected at the end of 2009 with 135 votes against 49 for the Finn Ari Vatanen, former world rally champion. He focused most of his presidency on road safety and sustainable mobility, while encouraging the creation of a Formula Electric World Championship which will begin in September 2014.
David Ward spent his career in road safety, notably with the UN. He was until recently the boss of the FIA Foundation, in charge of automobile interactions with society, a position he has just left to organize his campaign. He headed the European office of the FIA from 1996 to 2001. He was previously in politics, in the Liberal Party.
The election for the presidency of the FIA will be held on December 6, 2013.
