F1 News: Max Mosley Really Stepping Down As FIA President. Really.

So who’s going to fill his shoes? Jean Todt (whom you may recall from such storied motorsport histories as, oh, FERRARI’S) is hoping that it will be him.

In an official statement, Todt offered the following explanation:

“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. It is my intention to continue and expand the outstanding work of president Mosley, who for 16 years has worked tirelessly to strengthen the FIA’s major motor sport championships and to position the FIA as the voice of the motoring public, actively promoting safe, clean and affordable mobility for all.”

He’s not the only one in contention for the position, however. Former World Rally and Dakar Champion Ari Vatanen has also announced his candidacy for the position.

“Imagine if there was a rival series, that would be the end of the FIA as we know it. Everybody would lose, including those in the other series. It’s now at the 11th hour to apply common sense, and maybe a bit of humility would not be bad either….This is not a personal battle between me and somebody else. I will never throw dirt on Max, I have a very good relationship with him. We must keep a professional level, that’s what the FIA needs.”

He’s already got McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh on his side, but Whitmarsh made those remarks prior to Todt officially throwing his hat into the ring. It is unclear at this point who stands a better chance of ascending the throne: old blood or new. One thing is for certain: Mosley’s departure can only be good for the sport.

In other news, following the not-terribly-surprising announcement that last weekend’s German Grand Prix was Sebastien Bourdais’ last with Scuderia Toro Rosso, Bourdais is allegedly eyeing up legal options against STR for breach of contract. Said Bourdais,

“I am even more frustrated by the team’s decision considering that the latter has been taken immediately before the Hungarian Grand Prix, where a new highly competitive racing package will be introduced by the team in order to try and overcome its current difficulties. I am convinced that if I was given the chance to race with such a new package I would have had the opportunity to achieve satisfactory results.”

When your teammate is doing better than you, it’s cause for concern. But when Force India is doing better than you, well. McLaren, I’m looking at you, too.

Tags: Ari Vatanen Dakar F1 Ferrari FIA Jean Todt max mosley McLaren Scuderia Toro Rosso Sebastien Bourdais STR wrc