Former Ferrari boss Jean Todt replaced Max Mosley as president of the International Automobile Federation (FIA) Friday after trouncing rival candidate Ari Vatanen in a vote. “Jean Todt has been elected president of the FIA for a four-year term by the FIA General Assembly at its annual meeting in Paris,” an FIA statement said. The 63-year-old Frenchman won 135 votes to 49 for Vatanen, the former world rally champion who was his sole rival for the most powerful position in world motorsport. There were 12 abstentions. “It's positive, very positive,” retired Formula One champion Michael Schumacher, who won five of his seven titles with Todt at the Italian glamor team, told reporters after the news was announced. Todt had been backed throughout an increasingly acrimonious campaign by Mosley, who will remain in the FIA senate, and had also received support from Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone. Vatanen, a former European parliamentarian, stood on a platform of change and transparent governance to make a clean break from the controversial Mosley era. Mosley had been FIA president since he ousted Frenchman Jean-Marie Balestre in 1993. Formula One teams, which had clashed repeatedly with Mosley earlier in the year while threatening a breakaway series, welcomed the appointment of a man many had previously expressed misgivings about. “I would like to send my best wishes to Jean Todt in his new role, as I have always appreciated his ability, dedication and commitment,” said Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo in a statement issued by the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA). “I am sure that, under his guidance, the Federation will be rejuvenated and will restore a climate open to dialogue and constructive collaboration with the teams and FOTA, thus ensuring stability of the regulations and the whole environment,” added Todt's former boss. “Formula One is about to embark on a new phase,” said Montezemolo, who is also chairman of FOTA. – Reuters “All the stakeholders must work together with an eye to the future, to increase the credibility and interest generated by this sport, tackling the technical and environmental challenges that await it while keeping unchanged those characteristics that have made it one of the most popular (sports).” Donington says its F1 bond has failed The British Formula One Grand Prix faced an uncertain future Friday after the failure of a bond to cover the cost of re-developing the Donington Park circuit. “Donington Ventures Leisure Limited can confirm that a bond for 135 million pounds ($224.8 million) to cover the cost of the F1 redevelopment at Donington Park has been unsuccessful,” a statement said. Ecclestone had given Donington, which has a 17-year contract to host the race from next year until noon Monday to remedy a breach of contract after repeatedly extending deadlines. The Briton has said that Silverstone, the circuit that put on the first championship race in 1950 but lost the contract after this year's farewell, will be offered the chance to regain the Grand Prix.
