In his letter, he said “From a personal point of view it would be very difficult for me to change my mind and stand again. I began some months ago to rearrange my family life with effect from next October. I also informed senior FIA staff that I would not be a candidate. To continue now would greatly complicate my domestic arrangements and be inconsistent with my obligations to my family, particularly after our recent loss. Also, I have felt for some time that I would like to work less. After all, I will be 70 next year. Therefore, with these new arrangements in place, extremely grateful though I am for all the letters, emails and messages I have received, I have decided to reconfirm my decision. I will not be a candidate in October”
In endorsing his successor, he mentioned that Jean Todt who has had some vast experience in the sport to be the best candidate because of what he can bring to the sport. He added “Jean is unquestionably the outstanding motor sport manager of his generation and arguably of any generation,” wrote the Briton. “He has also been CEO of a successful car manufacturer. He thus has experience in charge of a large and complex organisation, something which is an essential qualification for any future president of the FIA. If he agrees to stand, I think he would be the ideal person to continue but also to extend the work of the past 16 years. He can be relied on in all areas where the FIA is active. I very much hope you will give him your support.”
Jean Todt on the other has agreed in principle to the recommendation and has announced his candidacy for the election of the presidency come 23 October. He said “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,”
If he is elected, he intends to bring his own team of staff to help out in the management of the association saying that “Given the unique structure of the FIA and its twin roles in sport and mobility it takes more than a president to run the organisation and I am delighted to announce my leadership team. For the position of deputy president for mobility I would propose Brian Gibbons; for deputy president for sport I would propose, Graham Stoker and for president of the Senate I would propose Nick Craw.”
