Jean Todt confirms third term as FIA President

Jean Todt has confirmed he’ll take a third term as FIA President after being unopposed at the final World Motor Sport Council meeting of the year in Paris.

Todt was elected FIA President back in October 2009 after defeating Ari Vatanen and was re-elected for a second four-year term in December 2013. In recent weeks Todt officially confirmed his intention to seek a third term and after finding himself unopposed the former Ferrari chief has accepted the post which will run until the end of 2021. The 71-year-old, who has led improvements in both racing and road safety, also works as a UN special envoy for road safety since taking office at the FIA. Todt is expected to see out his third term as his final four years before stepping down as FIA President.

During a speech at the FIA council meeting in Paris this week Todt thanked his fellow council members for their ‘trust’ ahead of his final term in charge: "It is gratifying to have such universal support. I would like to thank all of the Member Clubs of the FIA for their support. I see this as a validation of the direction the FIA has taken under my leadership, and as encouragement to continue the programme we have pursued over the past eight years.

"From time to time there are some who challenge this role, and I remind them that Motor Sport will always need a regulator, it will always need fair play, it will always require ethics, and it will always need an independent referee. This is the vital role the FIA plays and one it will continue to play in the future."

Todt replaced Max Mosley as FIA President in 2009 after cutting his ties to Ferrari as a special advisor in 2008 to ensure he wouldn’t suffer any conflict of interests. Todt became Ferrari’s general manager in 1993 before being appointed the company’s CEO in 2004 until stepping down in 2006.

Ferrari enjoyed its most successful era in Formula 1 with Todt in charge as he oversaw eight World Constructors’ championships plus six World Drivers’ titles during his formidable partnership with Michael Schumacher and Ross Brawn. Todt also oversaw success in endurance racing by leading Peugeot to back-to-back Le Mans 24 Hours victories in 1992 and 1993 plus the drivers’ and manufacturers’ world championships in 1992.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you to all for your trust #FIAnewterm pic.twitter.com/o29OBGtc4k

— Jean Todt (@JeanTodt) December 8, 2017