Formula One news

FIA victor Todt aiming for 'constructive change'

Jean Todt is confident that Formula One's future is positive, after being elected as FIA President on Friday. Taking the reigns from Max Mosley, the Frenchman is sure that Formula One can both enhance its current plus points as well as improve in certain areas following a number of recent controversies.

With Todt having comfortably won Friday's election in Paris against Ari Vatanen, the former Ferrari Team Principal moves into the leading role of various motorsport championships and road safety projects as well as Formula One.

"I like action, I like to make things go forward and I am really happy to see that so many countries chose me," he said after learning of the results of the ballot, "but a lot is yet to be done, in cooperation with all the clubs, to unify the FIA; the day the election is over, everybody - including those who did not support me - must share the same goals. I am not closing the door to anybody.

With the opinions of some being that the federation should undertake drastic changes in F1, the 63-year-old does not share the view. "I disagree with those who say that everything should be changed," he continued. "During the campaign, I spoke about constructive change and adaptation to the fact that things are different from what they were ten years ago."

With the very public 'Spygate', 'Liegate' and 'Crashgate' sagas all having made Formula One headlines for the wrong reasons in the course of the past two years, Todt understands that a clean image for the sport is key. "It's true to say that, over the years - and not only the last two - a lot of problems have arisen but Formula One remains one of the major sports," he responded.

"All of the controversies have opened the eyes of people involved in this business and I am optimistic that things will improve."

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