Sulayem backs Todt as next FIA president
28 September, 2009
Leading UAE motorsports figure, Mohammed Ben Sulayem (pictured above with Jean Todt and Max Mosley) announced today that the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE) will be backing Jean Todt?s bid to become the next President of the FIA, motor sport?s world governing body.
ATCUAE President Sulayem, who is the Vice President of the FIA for Sport, believes former Ferrari team boss Todt is the man to guide Formula One and international motor sport as a whole safely past the lingering economic crisis and away from the upheavals and controversies of recent years.
He has already given a personal pledge of support to Frenchman Todt and will speak to former world rally champion Ari Vatanen, the other FIA Presidential candidate, to explain his decision prior to next month?s elections.
?I have known Ari for many years and have enormous respect for him and for everything he has achieved as a rally driver, and as a member of the European Parliament,? said Sulayem.
?But I believe that Jean Todt?s credentials make him the logical choice to take up the FIA Presidency at a time when Formula One racing, and motor sport as a whole, is facing major challenges which demand strong leadership and unity, while not forgetting the importance of the role and responsibility of General Mobility which takes in Road Safety, Environmental and the Touring aspects of motoring and road transport.
Added Sulayem: ?At the same time, I am convinced that he fully recognises the importance of the Middle East to motor sport, and will ensure that this region is strongly represented at the top level.?
Sulayem stated that the other clubs of the Arab world are almost unanimous in their support for Todt. ?They have all sent him letters of support as they all share the view of the ATCUAE that he is the right candidate to lead the FIA through these challenging times,? he said.
“He understands the problems that motor sport is facing and has a clear strategy to tackle them, including making the necessary changes to the structure of the FIA and giving the regions a chance to play a bigger part in its development.”
Related posts:
- Ecclestone backs Todt for FIA president
- Todt as FIA president could restore French GP
- Todt reveals changes if elected FIA president
- FOTA denies opposing Todt as FIA president
- Mosley admits Todt possible FIA president
