Former Ferrari boss Jean Todt is spelling out his agenda should he become FIA president. (Photo: LAT photgraphic)

“In the last few weeks I have found it inspirational working with my team, Nick Craw, Brian Gibbons and Graham Stoker,” Todt said. “Together we have developed a policy agenda for the FIA which we all think is exciting and offers a new vision of how the FIA should develop in the years ahead. I’m very hopeful that we will be given the chance to implement what we have proposed. It is quite humbling to think that we could be given the opportunity to help shape the future of the FIA in this way.”

One of the biggest challenges Todt said he and the sport face is the continuing need for safety.

“We all know how dangerous motor sport can be,” Todt said. “Like millions of Formula One fans I watched Felipe’s accident on television at home. It’s only human to fear the worst in those situations. The FIA’s safety and medical systems worked well and I’m sure that the helmet design developed by the FIA and the FIA Institute’s experts saved Felipe’s life. His accident came only days after the tragic incident involving Henry Surtees. I can only echo the comments made by John Surtees after the loss of his son, we must constantly review our approach to safety, learn from every incident and apply that knowledge systematically to improving standards.”

The vote for president on October 23rd could be the last of its kind should his opponent be elected. Vatanen has proposed that he would change the FIA voting system to give more votes to the largest clubs with the most membership, an idea Todt opposes.

“I don’t agree with this idea at all,” Todt said. “It would concentrate power and decision-making in the FIA in the hands of a just a few mobility clubs that have large memberships simply because they happen to exist in countries with large populations. That would be unfair and undemocratic.”

One thing Todt hasn’t done since announcing his campaign has been to visit a Grand Prix. Todt has been conspicuously absent, but he said that would soon change especially as the election nears.

“My first priority has been to identify the right people, the right policies and the right program for my team,” Todt said. “I’ve brought a strong leadership group together, we’ve put a carefully considered program in place and we’ve established an excellent dialogue with the FIA membership to refine and develop our policies further.

It a later stage in the campaign it will be important to visit the paddock and the service park but right now our campaign is focused on this vital process of consultation with the membership.”

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