The 57-year old Fin quickly counterattacked the Mosley-Todt alliance, arguing that Mosley's public support for the Frenchman is a clear suggestion that the former wants his ideas to live on at the helm of the international body. According to Vatanen, choosing Todt would be like voting for Mosley once again, which everyone in Formula One wanted to avoid in the first place.
“You need a new star, you need an independent person who represents change. The fact that he has FIA support may somewhat distort the situation, but I'm not worried. When the wind starts changing, it does change. (...) FIA simply needs to recuperate its dignity and integrity. We need a new start,” Vatanen was quoted as saying to the Associated Press earlier today.
While insisting that he will not use any dirty campaigning against the Frenchman in the months to come, Vatanen jokingly released his motto for the presidency race. He used a play of words to suggest that Finnish characters have always turned out to be the best picks for a win, something that Todt can admit to himself.
“If I can resume my campaign in one way, something that Jean successfully applied to various disciplines and teams: If you want to win, take a Finn,” added Vatanen.
In addition, the former member of the European Parliament (for two consecutive mandates, until earlier this year) opinionated on how Mosley got to lose the support of the Formula One teams.
“We are all very vulnerable to that trap that you think the world revolves around yourself. Any leader in the world, when you are very much long in power you overestimate your own possibilities and anyone who criticizes you is seen as a threat,” added Vatanen.
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