Jackie Stewart Declines Offer to Run for FIA Presidency

Now that his long-time rival Max Mosley has decided to step down from the FIA presidential seat, triple Formula One champion Jackie Stewart revealed that he has been asked by a high-profile F1 representative to take his chance for the FIA role in October this year.

Until now, only former WRC champion Ari Vatanen and Frenchman Jean Todt have confirmed their candidatures for the FIA presidency, as both have announced their teams and programmes for their maiden mandate. Although Stewart did not mention who was the person asking him to bid for the presidential role within the ruling body, the Scotsman made it very clear he has no intention of doing it.

“First of all I am 70 years of age. I think that you have to bring in a considerably younger person. My view is that nobody [for the job] should be taken from the cockpit, the garage or the pitlane from Formula 1 – although I think there is an enormous desire for change,” pointed out Stewart in an interview with British magazine Autosport.

In addition, he publicly admitted his backing for Vatanen, as he believes Todt's presidency would bring nothing new to the table as far as Formula One is concerned.

“I don't think that the FIA will change much if Jean Todt gets in, because I think that regime will stay the same. I would be worried about the chances of Ari winning, but I think that (him winning) would be the right thing for the sport."

“I still think to this day that there must be sufficient change to radically alter the manner in which the sport is run, because in my view this paddock is ruled by threat and fear – even the media. That is wrong,” added the 70-year old Scot.