Paris - Jean Todt will succeed Max Mosley as president of motorsport's ruling body the FIA on a four-year term until 2013 after winning Friday's vote by the organization's member clubs. The ex-Ferrari team boss claimed a comfortable victory over his opponent Ari Vatanen in the election, amassing 135 votes in a ballot involving the 211 national sporting authorities and national automobile associations compared to just 49 for the former world rally champion.
"Jean Todt has been elected President of the FIA for a four-year term by the FIA General Assembly at its annual meeting in Paris," the FIA said in a statement.
The result was expected as the 63-year-old had the backing of Mosley, F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone and seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher.
Mosley has been in the post since 1993 but agreed not to stand for a fifth term as FIA boss as part of an agreement struck in July to end the threat of a breakaway series by F1 teams.
Todt, who worked together with Finland's Vatanen on the Peugeot rally team in the 1980s, can seek re-election when his term comes to an end.
"This is positive, very positive," said Schumacher after the vote while the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) also welcomed Todt's election.
"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," said FOTA Chairman Luca di Montezemolo.
"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."
Mosley's tenure as head of the FIA has been marred by a number of damaging rows which have threatened to tear F1 apart, and his support for Todt means there is a suspicion that things won't change fast enough under the Frenchman.
However Todt, who spent 15 years as head of Ferrari during which time he built up a strong reputation as a good team-player and manager, said his campaign was based on finding a consensus.
France President Nicolas Sarkozy said in a statement he was "sincerely delighted" with Todt's election.
"It is in effect very important for France to be represented at the highest international sporting levels."
It was with di Montezemolo that Todt, a graduate of the School of Economics and Business in Paris, helped transform the fortunes of the ailing Ferrari F1 team.
Todt had co-piloted compatriot Guy Frequelin to the world rally championship in 1981 before moving into management with Peugeot, setting up Peugeot-Talbot a team which won world titles in 1985 and 1986, followed by four Paris-Dakars from 1987-1990.
Ferrari president di Montezemolo turned to Todt in 1993, and with strategist Ross Brawn and the German Michael Schumacher joining as driver in 1996, the Italian team enjoyed a racing renaissance.
Under the Frenchman's tutelage, initially as manager, later as general director and then chief executive, Ferrari enjoyed 98 Grand Prix victories and 13 world championship titles before relinquishing his posts with the team in March last year.
