01/10/2009
NEWS STORY
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Asked to describe his leadership style, FIA presidency hopeful Ari Vatanen said, "fast, human and humble", before adding, "It is very similar to my rallying style... except less sideways".
Talking to Franca Davenport of the Daily Telegraph, the Finn, seen here talking to Mark Webber, outlined the changes he would make at the FIA if elected, and how he sees its role in terms of the everyday motorist, after all, the FIA isn't just about F1, far from it.
In terms of the changes he would make at the FIA, the 1981 World Rally Champion and four-time Paris Dakar winner said: "It is not anything new but just a return to normal government.
"To get the best out of any organisation you have to be fair, you have to listen to everybody and you have to distinguish between right and wrong," he continued, "that is our challenge in both public and private life. Faith and credibility has to be restored and so does the image of the FIA. We have to put our house in order."
As for the 'everyday motorist ', after all it is the leaders of motoring clubs around the world that will vote in the election, Vatanen said: "Mobility is the driving force of the FIA and it must defend the world's motorists and ensure they're treated fairly.
"Formula One is a fantastic sport," he continued, "but it is only 20 people racing and there are millions of drivers behind this organisation. Mobility contributes to the standard of living, prosperity and comfort... everything. This role has to be strengthened. Then the car manufacturers will do better and so will the sport."
While Max Mosley has championed safety, Vatanen believes there is still much to be done, also in terms of the environment. When asked what his 'big issue' would be if elected, the Finn is in no doubt: "Technology," he replies. "I believe that when technology improves everything improves - safety, the environment, everything.
"New technology can be promoted and developed through motorsport. This way it can strengthen the link between mobility and motor sport."
Asked about his rival for the FIA presidency, Jean Todt, who he competed against and subsequently worked for at Peugeot Talbot, Vatanen replied: He's my friend and rival. He was leading the World Rally Championship with Guy Frequelin in 1981 by a good margin prior to the RAC Rally and we beat them. So we must try to repeat this result in the elections!
"As a team manager he was very good. I had no complaints. But it's my objective opinion that running a motorsport team is very different to being "the adoptive father" of a worldwide organisation like FIA."
It is widely thought that Todt is a shoe-in for the presidency such is the blistering intensity of the campaign being run by his team which includes Max Mosley's right hand man Richard Woods. However, should he upset the form book, Vatanen is quite clear about how he would run the organization.
"I will try to do everything according to the book," he says. "It is undeniable that the FIA needs a change.
"I am not against Max in any way," he adds, "but an election is an opportunity for a new start and a new direction. At the end of the day this is not about making my ideas come true, but about making sure that the FIA family is healthy."