Despite having withdrawn, thereby leaving Jean Todt as the only candidate, David Ward was quick to offer his congratulations to the Frenchman on his re-election as FIA president today.

Ward, who stood unsuccessfully in 2013 FIA Presidential election, has sent the following message of congratulation to Todt.

Dear Jean

Congratulations on your re-election to serve as President of the FIA. It is encouraging that in your manifesto 'The Way Forward' you envisage further inquiries into the governance of the FIA by the Statues Review Commission (SRC).

As the recently published report by 'I Trust Sport' shows, quite simple steps such as publishing an annual financial report and applying international accounting standards would raise the FIA's governance to the same level as FIFA and the IOC.

I also hope that the statute amendments proposed by a number of clubs regarding the removal of Vice Presidents for Sport in the election list and reducing the size of the nominating threshold will be given careful consideration.

I trust that in your second mandate you will not discourage the SRC from examining these reform proposals. If adopted I believe they would certainly make a substantial contribution to the transparency, accountability and democracy of the FIA.

Yours sincerely

David Ward