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October 17, 2009

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Home » Sports » Motor Racing

FIA rivals told to cool rhetoric

Source: Agencies | October 17, 2009, Saturday | Print Edition

THE FIA has asked the two candidates running to succeed Max Mosley as president of motor racing's governing body to avoid "negative campaigning."

Former Ferrari team principal Jean Todt and ex-world rally champion Ari Vatanen will face off for the presidency in an October 23 vote.

The FIA said yesterday they should "avoid negative campaigning and prejudicial leaks to the media" and "candidates should focus on the positive aspects and opportunities of the upcoming election and its effect on motoring and motor sport."

Vatanen hit back on Thursday at his rival's claims that he was using a dirty tricks campaign in the build-up to next week's election.

The Finn said it seemed that Todt, and others, appeared to feel that the mere suggestion that motorsport's governing body the FIA needed change, democracy and transparency was a personal attack on them.

Vatanan again made clear he had no wish to be involved in any kind of personal vendetta with the 'ancien regime' and said he found their reaction 'amazing'.

Vatanen said: "Many people have contacted me and asked what it means when others are accusing my campaign to be dirty?

"My answer is very simple -- 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."
Motor Racing



 

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