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SPEED Staff / GMM
The new FIA president Jean Todt has hit the ground running, beginning his term by saying he will support France's efforts to return to the Formula One calendar, hinting that he may have spot in his administration for his rival in the elections and denying that his new relationship with Ferrari might be a difficult one.
Frenchman Jean Todt would like to see the French Grand Prix return to the Formula One calendar. (Photo: LAT Photographic)
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The 63-year-old Frenchman, who was elected last week in a landslide, said he will support his country’s efforts to return to the Formula One calendar.
Recent host Magny-Cours did not organize the race in 2009 for "economic reasons", and efforts to date to establish alternative venues have not yet been successful.
In August, the president of France's motor racing federation Nicolas Deschaux said he thought electing Frenchman Todt as FIA president "could make our job" of reviving the Grand Prix "easier".
After Todt was voted in last week, Deschaux was named as a member of the new World Motor Sport Council.
Todt said in a French language interview with Agence France-Presse that the status of the French GP is already the subject of "discussions with our friends at the Federation Francaise du Sport Automobile (FFSA)".
He also said talks will take place with government officials, adding that: "I hope that France again has a Grand Prix."
The author of F1's annual race calendar is Bernie Ecclestone, and the F1 chief executive recently told the Le Parisien newspaper that it has been difficult so far to restore a French Grand Prix.
"I've sent a contract to them and it hasn't been sent back," said the Briton, revealing that 2013 looks the earliest date for a Paris race, and that Paul Ricard is another possible venue. "It's a shame, because it's going to get harder to find a spot on the calendar. They need to act quickly because time is short.”
As the French Grand Prix report began to circulate, Todt declined to rule out finding a role within the Paris based federation for his opponent Ari Vatanen.
The pair waged a hard-hitting contest for control of F1's governing body, but outgoing president Max Mosley hinted that his successor might "find something for (Vatanen) to do" under Todt's rule.
"He had his list (of supporters), and I had mine," FIA president Todt said in another interview with Agence France-Presse. "But we cannot exclude any outcome. We need competent people.”
Todt also played down reports his new relationship with Ferrari, a team he ran for fourteen years, might be a difficult one.
There has been speculation Todt and Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo did not part ways at Ferrari amicably.
That’s a charge denied by the pair.
"It is not true that I have had problems with Montezemolo," Todt, 63, is quoted as saying by Italy's Tuttosport. "Actually he was the first person I heard from after the election and also the previous evening he sent me a very nice message.”
Montezemolo also played down the reports.
"I'm very happy that Todt, a person who worked so well over 16 years here in Maranello and with whom I have a very amicable relationship, has been elected into such an important and crucial position for Formula One's future," said the Italian.
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