So finally, after months of keeping their heads down and avoid coming across Max Mosley's interests, Team McLaren finally got over their gratitude feelings towards the 69-year old Brit – as a result of FIA's “just” decision in the lie-gate – and admitted a change at the helm of the FIA is needed.
Vatanen, former World Rally Champion and member of the European Parliament for two consecutive mandates (until the 2009 elections), announced his official candidature for the FIA presidency prior to the German Grand Prix. The 57-year old Fin actually visited the F1 paddock at the Nurburgring to get a first taste of what's coming up in case he will succeed Mosley in that role.
“I don't know Ari particularly, but I think he is clearly fresh and new, and I think refreshing the sport would be quite good. He was a racing driver, very successful, and a world champion, so I think he understands competition. I think that is fresh,” Whitmarsh was quoted as saying to RACER magazine.
The McLaren boss also admitted that Vatanen's experience as a politician can only help him in the FIA role, especially since the sport is evolving towards a new era in the years to come.
“He has been a successful politician – I don't know if that is a plus or a minus, though I think inevitably it is a plus because whether we like it or not, none of us were signed up here to get involved in politics but there is a fair amount of politics involved in F1. If someone is going to be a reformer, he has the credentials to do that,” added the 51-year old Brit.
Unfortunatelly for Vatanen, he will not benefit from the votes of Formula One bosses but from the 213 FIA member clubs worldwide.
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