During the course of last weekend, Vatanen accused the Frenchman of using FIA funds for supporting his presidential campaign this autumn. He argued that Todt's latest trip to Africa, when he was accompanied by girlfriend and FIA ambassador Michelle Yeoh, was paid with money from the FIA.
In addition, he also suggested that the FIA Foundation is paying for a private jet for Todt to use all over the world, in his efforts to convince the member clubs of the ruling body to vote for him in October.
In a letter sent by FIA Foundation's Chairman Carlos Macaya to Vatanen, the international body admits its disgust towards the Finn's false accusations pointed at both the FIA and Todt.
“These assertions are totally false. For the last two years Jean Todt’s partner, the internationally acclaimed actress Michelle Yeoh, has served in a voluntary capacity as the global Ambassador for the Make Roads Safe campaign which is co-ordinated by the FIA Foundation,” said the letter.
“In this role Michelle has travelled all over the world to support the campaign especially in advance of this year’s first ever global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety to be held in Moscow on November 19-20. A centrepiece of her involvement has been the production of a documentary film, Turning Point, which was broadcast worldwide in May on BBC World TV and also featured at the launch of the Commission for Global Road Safety’s new report calling for a UN Decade of Action.”
As for the allegations regarding the financing of Todt'd candidature, Macaya added:
“This month Michelle participated in the Make Roads Safe Africa conference held in Dar es Salaam, speaking alongside four African Ministers of Transport and also meeting with the President of Tanzania. This important event has been the main preparatory meeting for African governments for the Moscow Ministerial and was attended by over 300 delegates across the continent.”
"Jean Todt sometimes accompanies Michelle Yeoh on her trips for the FIA Foundation. He does so when he has another task to fulfil. In Dar es Salaam, for example, a workshop was organised for ASNs on motor sport safety issues which was financed by the Motor Sport Safety Fund. Jean is a member of the Management Committee of this Fund and attended in that capacity. As you know Jean Todt was elected President of eSafety Aware earlier this year and in that role is helping to promote intelligent vehicle safety systems such as Electronic Stability Control.”
“All these engagements are very helpful to the work of the Foundation and demonstrate the strong commitment of both Michelle and Jean to our work promoting road safety.”
In the end, the FIA representative expressed his disappointment over the false accusations made by Vatanen and once again dismissed all suggestions that the FIA Foundation is in any way connected with Todt's efforts to win the FIA presidency this year.
“These activities have nothing whatsoever to do with the FIA, or the recently announced election. It is very disappointing that you have chosen to misrepresent the work of a fellow Trustee in this way and belittle the magnificent contribution being made by Michelle Yeoh.”
“I appreciate that during the forthcoming election for the FIA Presidency there needs to be open and robust debate. However, I would ask that you do not again misrepresent the role of the FIA Foundation in this way,” concluded Macaya.
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