F1 Drivers Support Vatanen for FIA Presidency

Although some of the voices in the Formula One paddock were publicly expressed towards the support of Jean Todt for the FIA presidency, it now seems the drivers have other plans for the October elections. Although their voice is hardly of any meaning to the International Automobile Federation (FIA), the F1 drivers seem to support Ari Vatanen for the job.

The former World Rally champion was a constant figure in the paddock and on the grid in recent months – except for Monza, where he wasn't allowed to by F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, due to various reasons – and is believed to hold the majority within the members of the Grand Prix Drivers Association (GPDA).

Although Jean Todt himself met with the GPDA last month, it is believed he did not make such a strong argument before the F1 drivers. Nevertheless, that's unlikely to cause the Frenchman any problems in the October elections, as neither the drivers nor the F1 team presidents have any veto rights in the presidential race.

When the drivers' body met at Suzuka last weekend, it is believed some of the older members of the GPDA have expressed their desire to support Vatanen. However, given the fact that the GPDA must hold political neutrality in the whole presidential fight, the body decided not to express their belief publicly.

So far, most of the European nations have expressed their public support for Todt, while some of the Asian and African club members of the FIA (14 so far) seem to go with Vatanen. The former, however, has the unconditional support of both the current president of the FIA Max Mosley and the F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone.