F1: Ari Vatanen Speaks Out

Formula 1

F1: Ari Vatanen Speaks Out

FIA Presidential candidate Ari Vatanen is riding a groundswell of support from a variety of sources these days...

Marshall Pruett | Posted July 31, 2009 Radio Le Mans

Ari Vatanen spoke with Radio Le Mans host John Hindhaugh at length about his plans for the FIA and how it would change under his guidance. (LAT)

Former rally champion and current FIA Presidential candidate Ari Vatanen is riding a groundswell of support from a variety of sources these days, including the internet.

Winner of the 1981 World Rally Championship drivers title, the Finn’s personable demeanor and sensible approach to his career built a large fanbase over his decades in the sport.

Vatanen has continued to build upon his reputation after retiring as an active driver, and in light of the various FIA scandals and general disharmony perceived within the organization, the simple, direct and decidedly non-political manner in which the 10-time rally winner carries himself has a particular appeal to fans of motorsport.

With Max Mosley’s embattled tenure as FIA President coming to an end, questions remain as to whether the FIA will elect Max’s hand-picked successor or if Vatanen’s desire to bring a more democratic approach to the position will earn him the nomination.

While Vatanen lacks anything like the profile or bureaucratic cache ex-Ferrari F1 man Jean Todt, his rival for the FIA post, many believe the fresh voice Vatanen offers could be just the tonic the FIA needs.

In an exclusive interview with Radio Le Mans host John Hindhaugh on the channel’s ‘Midweek Motorsport’ show, Vatanen dove head first into a wide array of questions surrounding his motivation to run for Max Moseley’s chair, his thoughts on Mosley’s backing of Todt, whether the Facebook website played a role in his decision to stand for the FIA Presidency, and a number of other questions.

Below is a partial transcript from the Vatanen’s thirty minute interview – to hear the rest of the conversation and the entire two hour Midweek Motorsport talk show, visit http://www.radiolemans.com.

HINDHAUGH: Would you have stood for the FIA presidency had Max Mosley not been retiring -- not be standing down at the end of his term, Ari?

VATANEN: Yes I would have. And this is not the statement of a big-headed man. If you do believe something in life you go for it and you don't – I often say that we should draw inspiration from people like, let’s say from Columbus.

I mean, he did not ask his neighbors, “Well, do you agree with me that there’s land on the other side of the ocean? That I should go there?” No, he was convinced himself that his trip was worthwhile and he embarked on this trip. But poor Columbus, he didn’t know the Vikings had already been there! But you know what I mean, if you believe in something you go for it.

And what matters in life is the direction, how long it takes to get to that goal, that remains to be seen but that's not the point, if you don't get there your son will get there but the thing is in life, you try to do something which will stand the scrutiny of time and history.

And in a very modest and humble way I say not against Max Mosley, not against Jean Todt, not as all, but it is generally – how should I say – accepted fact that our fantastic FIA family needs a new start, a fresh start, and me and my team, we are symbolizing that.

HINDHAUGH: So it is time for a change, to sum up there what you're saying, is it’s time for a change. It's not necessarily that Max is doing anything wrong but it's time for a change. In that case, how would you sum up Max Mosley's time at the helm of the FIA?

VATANEN: Well, surely, it doesn't leave anybody cold. We all know, and I know Max personally very well, and I have always had a very good relationship with him and I think here today I'm sure a little storm’s in the water glass at the moment, I mean, that's part of the election campaign. And he is a seasoned politician, he accepts that.

So on a personal level I've never have and I don't think I will have – it’s very mutual, it’s a very respectful relationship with him. And nobody can deny that he has done lots of things very well. He's an extremely intelligent, capable man. And let’s put it this way, if you start priority-wise, safety is the first thing, not only in the motorsport but much more importantly on the civil side in the motoring side in everyday motoring, and he has done a very good job. And has saved, I mean, thanks to Europe and the crash tests, for example, thousands of lives have been saved and we need to give credit to Max.

Then, of course, on the sporting side, let's say the summary is somewhat more controversial but maybe, had I been in power for 20 years or nearly 20 years maybe it would be very similar because any federation, it's not an open society, and after a while the federation begins to resemble yourself. So I don't want to go any further than that.

After any leader who has been at the helm and who has hand his and on the rudder a long time, whether it’s Vatanen or Jean Todt, or Max Mosley, any organization needs to shake up, a new start, partly new people and maybe partly a new heading. We need to renew ourselves all the time and our family is so fantastic. It goes from one billion automobilists to 20 Formula One drivers including the biggest manufacturers in the world, they're all part of the automotive family. And we simply need to give ourselves a new start.

Listen to this weekend's Le Mans Series race in Portugal broadcast live on http://www.radiolemans.com.

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