Todt says he wants to be FIA president

Former Ferrari boss Jean Todt threw his hat into the ring yesterday to succeed Max Mosley as president of motor sport's world governing body, the International Automobile Federation (FIA).

Todt's decision to stand came a day after Mosley, who survived calls for his resignation over a sado-masochistic sex scandal last year, had named the Frenchman as the ideal person to replace him.

The election is due on October 23, with Finland's 1981 world rally champion Ari Vatanen the only other declared candidate.

"Following the decision of Max Mosley not to seek a further term of office and his unequivocal support of my candidacy, I have written to the FIA membership to inform them that I wish to stand for the presidency of the FIA," said Todt in a statement.

"It is my intention to continue and expand the outstanding work of president Mosley," he added.

Leadership team

Todt, who presided over a golden era at Ferrari with Michael Schumacher winning five titles in a row from 2000 to 2004, also named his leadership team.

The two vice-presidential candidates were New Zealander Brian Gibbons and Britain's Graham Stoker while American Nick Craw was proposed for president of the FIA Senate.

Todt will be seen as the favourite for the job, given his reputation and existing roles within the FIA, although he is unlikely to go down well with Formula One teams still threatening a breakaway series.

"I must emphasise he would not in any way be a motor industry candidate," Mosley said on Wednesday.

"He would have no special relationship with his former company, Ferrari, nor with Peugeot-Citroen."

Todt won the World Rally Championship, the Le Mans 24 Hours sportscar race and Paris-Dakar as head of Peugeot motorsport.

He was also chief executive officer of Ferrari and has been involved in road safety and environmental campaigns for the FIA.