FOTA Denies Non-Supportive Position Towards Jean Todt

A spokesman for the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) yesterday explained the position of the teams' alliance regarding the upcoming election for the FIA presidency. He strongly denied media reports that the FOTA would not back Jean Todt for this position because of the support showed by Max Mosley for the Frenchman in recent weeks.

In addition, the FOTA spokesman insisted that the teams would like an independent person at the helm of the FIA, a man with “no baggage” following the recent drama caused by the FIA-FOTA scandal.

“There is quite a lot of mischief-making going on,” said the spokesman in an interview with inthenews.co.uk.

“The media are trying to create a war between 'the FOTA backed Ari Vatanen' and 'the FIA backed Jean Todt', if you like, but Mosley is perfectly entitled to back somebody.”

“There is this big thing where people are saying that Todt is Mosley's man, but Jean Todt is Jean Todt. His record in motor sport is second to none and the idea that he is some patsy is totally bonkers,” added the spokesman.

In addition, he ruled out that all the FOTA representatives would not support Todt because of his lack of popularity within the F1 paddock. While admitting Todt has to work harder on making the F1 teams like him – including his former employer Ferrari – he insisted the teams' alliance doesn't have any predetermined agenda regarding the 63-year old Frenchman.

“It's absolutely not the case that they (FOTA) would question his ability,” concluded the FOTA spokesman.