In a recent blog post on their official website, Ferrari appear to blame the exit of top car manufacturing teams such as Honda, BMW and recently Toyota on the sport’s leaders, rather than the often blamed global economic downturn. Ferrari said,

“The reality is that this gradual defection from the F1 fold has more to do with a war waged against the major car manufacturers by those who managed Formula 1 over the past few years, than the result of any economic crisis.”

Perhaps pointing to the recently departed Max Mosely, and the FIA as the crux of the problem, Ferrari are clearly a little upset at the teams seemingly dropping like flies from the sport. They go on to say that the new teams for 2010 are no replacement for the likes of Honda or BMW, saying they wonder how many will be left at the beginning of the 2010 season, and at the end.

Ferrari are clearly keen to uncover the culprits in this apparent (in their eyes) systematic approach to removing car manufacturing teams from the F1 grid.

“In Christie’s work of fiction, the guilty party was only uncovered when all the other characters died, one after the other. Do we want to wait for this to happen or do we want to pen a different ending to the book on Formula 1?”

An interesting viewpoint without a doubt, we can only wonder why it’s taken them nearly 12 months since the Honda walkout to voice their strong opinions on the matter. Perhaps some action around these words could and should have been done before BMW, Toyota, Bridgestone and even maybe Renault leave the sport. Maybe with Jean Todt at the helm of the FIA, Ferrari now feel a little more comfortable in voicing their opinions?

What is clear is that they definitely do not rate the incoming teams, and appear to question why the Formula One bosses are working hard to get new teams on board, yet let existing long term teams flounder and die.

New FIA President Jean Todt has spoken about his intent to get the French Grand Prix back on the Formula 1 schedule. Magny Cours was skipped in the 2009 season due to the French Motorsports Federation (FFSA) withdrawing financing for the event.

Todt spoke to French news agency AFP on the subject, saying that there are already “discussions with our friends at the Federation Francaise du Sport Automobile.”. He said,

“I hope that France again has a grand prix.”

Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has been keen to relaunch the French Grand Prix himeself, previously stating that a race through the streets of Paris could be an option. Ecclestone recently revealed to Le Parisien newspaper,

“I’ve sent a contract to them and it hasn’t been sent back. It’s a shame, because it’s going to get harder to find a spot on the calendar. They need to act quickly because time is short”

Possible dates for the next French Grand Prix have been rumoured for some time, with some saying 2011 at Flins-Les Mureaux where a 112 million euro project is said to have started work, or as late as 2013 at Circuit Paul Ricard. Either way, it looks like Magny Cours has had it’s day as a Formula 1 venue for the immediate future at least.

Some really interesting news emerging this morning around the future of Michael Schumacher, specifically around him possibly working under Jean Todt in the FIA. Todt was yesterday elected as FIA President, and has been speaking about Schumacher to the Scotsman newspaper:

“He is like a son, there has always been a place for him next to me and there still will be.”

This is interesting news indeed. Schumacher campaigned on behalf of Todt earlier this month by sending a letter to FIA members endorsing Todt. It would be fortunate indeed if Schumacher was then to receive a role from Todt within the FIA.

Todt had also previously spoken about a new potential role within the FIA, a Formula 1 Commissioner, charged with the overseeing of Formula 1 business.

We’re putting two and two together here, but could we be looking at another Ferrari employee possibly involved in the running of Formula 1? It’s a very scary concept…

The Formula One Team Association (FOTA) has issued a press release congratulating newly elected FIA President Jean Todt to his new role. Ex colleague at Ferrari and now FOTA Chairman Luca di Montezemolo said:

“I would like to send my best wishes to Jean Todt in his new role, as I have always appreciated his ability, dedication and commitment. I am sure that, under his guidance, the Federation will be rejuvenated and will restore a climate open to dialogue and constructive collaboration with the teams and FOTA, thus ensuring stability of the regulations and the whole environment.”

“Formula One is about to embark on a new phase: all the stakeholders must work together with an eye to the future, to increase the credibility and interest generated by this sport, tackling the technical and environmental challenges that await it, while keeping unchanged, those characteristics that have made it one of the most popular disciplines on the world stage.”

John Howett, Vice Chairman and Toyota Team Principal added,

“I extend my best wishes to Jean Todt as he takes on this demanding but crucial role. I am convinced that Jean Todt’s presidency represents an opportunity for all Formula One’s stakeholders to unite under his leadership and work together to strengthen our sport. FOTA is looking forward to supporting him to broaden the appeal of our sport among fans and sponsors while respecting Formula One’s great heritage to which he has contributed enormously.”

Todt beat rival challenger Ari Vatenen to the FIA position earlier today, beating him by 135 votes to 49. This also ends the 16 year rule of Max Mosley, who’s final years have been dogged by scandal, in and outside of Formula 1.

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…