Tomorrow members of the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile will meet at their headquarters in Paris to vote on who will succeed Max Mosley as president.
Voting is restricted to 213 member clubs - motoring and motorsport organizations across the world, from 125 countries. Each club gets one vote.
The winner will have huge power over these motoring clubs and, crucially, Formula One.
JEAN TODT
Age: 63 (b. Pierrefort, France)
A former rally co-driver, Todt took over the management of the Peugeot team and won the WRC title in 1985. He was then appointed F1 team principal at Ferrari, transforming the team and winning eight constructors' championships and six drivers' titles with Michael Schumacher and Kimi Raikkonen by 2008. He is engaged to actress Michelle Yeoh.
Policies: Unlikely to deviate from the current course, Todt has said he will appoint a separate commissioner for F1, which may or may not be Max Mosley. It is thought Mosley may continue to run the FIA Putin-style, though those who know Todt say he's no glove puppet.
Strengths: A hugely successful manager, hardworking, and the preferred candidate of influential incumbent Max Mosley who, along with his closest aides, has been lobbying members for votes.
Weaknesses: Maybe too close to the scandal-hit Mosley regime. Widely disliked within F1. Has a history of unsportsmanlike behaviour. He may be a strong motivator of men, but he's a poor media communicator.
ARI VATANEN
Age: 57 (b. Tuupovaara, Finland)
Vatanen is a world champion rally driver, having won the title in 1981 with David Richards (of Prodrive fame) as his co-driver. In 1993 he settled in southern France. In 1999 he was elected MEP for the Finnish National Coalition Party and in 2004 was re-elected, this time for the conservative French Union for a Popular Movement.
Policies: The candidate for change, Vatanen has publicly compared himself to Barack Obama and plans to bring greater transparency to the FIA.
Strengths: An experienced professional politician, approachable, likeable, a hugely respected driver, and a break from the current regime.
Weaknesses: Not as well connected within the FIA as Todt. Lost ground with early negative campaigning. Lacks experience of running an organization. At odds with Mosley's powerful supporters.
WOW. I found this place on Google poking around for something else entirely- and now I'm gonna have to go back and go through the archives :) So long spare time today, but this was a awesome find
fascinating blog about Showdown - Metro F1 - The gossip from F1's pit lane, paddock and parties from our F1 Correspondent Adam Hay-Nicholls.. I read it twice.
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Great writing! Are there any thoughts that you might be willing to voice in order to illustrate your first point a small amount more? cheers
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