Jean Todt, the ex Ferrari Team Principal, has won the election to take over from Max Mosley as FIA President, beating his rival Ari Vatanen to the post.

There were a total of 196 votes, 135 for Todt, 49 to Vatanen, 12 abstentions.

Todt had been publically endorsed by Mosley and Michael Schumacher in recent weeks, and is seen by many in the F1 paddock as the candidate least likely to change the FIA, despite that being his campaign message. Most see Todt as one of the old guard, and will follow closely in Mosley’s footsteps.

In addition to this, Todt’s closeness to Ferrari deeply unsettles current Formula 1 teams. With rumours already that the FIA is biased towards Ferrari, Todt in his new position this will surely increase these ten fold.

Todt has said that he plans to bring in a new Formula 1 Commissioner to oversee the running of Formula 1. He is also seen as a divisive figure, however ex employees and Ferrari figures are at odds with these suggestions, saying he is an excellent team builder.

Ari Vatanen has today posted a blog article in response to Jean Todt’s claims that he is running a dirty tricks campaign for the FIA presedency. Directly, Ari responds:

“…if I speak about change, democracy and transparency, it seems to be wrong and it is taken as a personal insult against all the people who have been involved with the FIA before these elections”

Vatanen, a front runner alongside Jean Todt is seen by most as the sensible choice. Todt’s strong links with Ferrari, and his attitude to potentially running the FIA has caused some alarm amongst the camps.

Michael Schumacher yesterday wrote a letter to FIA members endorsing Todt, where he stated:

“I am deeply convinced Jean Todt is the right person to be the next president of the FIA. Having worked together with him for nearly fifteen years, I believe I am entitled to say this with such strong certainty”

It appears that as the election comes close next week, Todt is pulling out the big guns in order to sway the vote his way. Causing a stir with Vatanen, and subsequently Schumacher’s seemingly out of the blue letter to FIA members will surely be the start to the last shot of adrenalin in his campaign.

Vatanen however, remains calm during troubled times. His blog continues with some further insight into how he would run the FIA, and how touched he would be to receive the position:

“Of course I know it would be such a touching moment that I would not find any words at all. The feeling would be surely like my first international win when I stood on the podium. That moment you never ever forget.”

We know who we’re gunning for…