Michael Schumacher has outlined why he feels Jean Todt is the best candidate to become the next FIA president in a letter to the FIA membership, stressing the Frenchman would not simply oversee a continuation of Max Mosley’s regime.
The retired seven-time world champion first publicly lent his support to his friend and former Ferrari team boss’s campaign last month, making clear he felt Todt was the best man to take the FIA and motorsport forwards.
Now with just over a week to go until Todt goes up against Ari Vatanen in the FIA vote, Schumacher has written to the presidents of all the member clubs that will take part in the election to redouble the reasons for his support.
Following perceptions that Todt, as Mosley’s preferred successor, would simply govern in the same fashion as his predecessor, Schumacher has insisted that the Frenchman has his own ideas and would start a clear new era at the governing body.
“I know there are some people who say that Jean’s presidency would be a continuation of Max’s leadership,” Schumacher wrote in his letter, also published on his official website.
“I can only tell these people that they do not know Jean.
“He has his own expert knowledge, his own agenda and his own leadership style.
“From my experience he will implement his plans for the FIA in his own way, as a team player.”
Indeed the 40-year-old, who enjoyed unparalleled success alongside Todt at Ferrari in the early 2000s, believes the time is right to introduce changes at the FIA and that Todt is the right man to oversee them.
“Since I stopped driving in Formula 1 [in 2006], I have followed the sport very closely and have read a lot of stories which have done our sport much harm,” the German wrote.
“Having worked for the FIA and FIA Foundation on many projects for more than a decade, I may also claim that I am familiar with the FIA.
“This is why I deeply feel it is time for some changes, but these changes must be managed carefully by someone as skilful as Jean who has formed the right team of people to on the one hand appreciate the great achievements of the FIA and on the other hand really make change happen.”
Schumacher also expressed his displeasure at the attitude of some of the bigger motorsport clubs towards Todt’s campaign, claiming some made up their mind to support Vatanen even before reading the ex-Ferrari boss’s policies.
“I strongly think the FIA needs more openness,” the German added.
"I have to say I was astonished and disappointed by the way some of the big clubs have acted during this election period: It appears they have made up their minds before even reading Jean’s policy proposals or meeting him for discussions in person, something I would have considered really important.
“This is not my understanding of transparency or professionalism.”
Schumacher’s letter comes just a day after Todt’s campaign team also wrote to the FIA member clubs, criticising what it claimed were Vatanen’s “negative” electoral tactics and reiterating their own credentials for the post.
The FIA presidential vote takes places next Friday, October 23, at the FIA’s headquarters in Paris.