Todt Points at Lack of Consistency from Vatanen

With only 10 days remaining until the International Automobile Federation (FIA) elects a new president, the attacks between candidates Ari Vatanen and Jean Todt are starting to become increasingly personal. If the two FIA president wannabes have until now focused on sharing their agendas for the future of the ruling body, they are now exchanging blows publicly.

The Frenchman was the first to issue a public attack on Vatanen, via a letter sent to the FIA member clubs (the ones who actually have a veto right in the October elections). In that letter, Todt argues that his counter-candidate's policies are not focused on details but are rather guidelines for the future functioning of the FIA.

“We have tried to understand our opposition candidates suggestions for the FIA, but couldn't find any detailed policy. In our campaign, we have emphasised teamwork and the need for the mobility and motor sport pillars to work together. In contrast, the negative tone of our opponent's campaign risks undermining the unity of the FIA. Our team recognises that there is far more that unites than divides the clubs of the FIA,” said Todt in the letter.

In addition, Todt asked for the member clubs to avoid paying attention to the “public attacks” issued by Vatanen in recent weeks, most of them linked with the support he enjoys from current FIA president Max Mosley.

“We would appeal to all FIA member clubs to concentrate on the real issues and we hope that the personal attacks and false allegations will stop,” added the former Ferrari-an in the letter, which was also signed by the members of his future team at the helm of the FIA Nick Craw, Brian Gibbons and Graham Stoker.

Todt's counterattack comes only one day after South Africa and Saudi Arabia publicly revealed their support for Vatanen in the election process.