Ward to be candidate for FIA presidency (2nd Update)
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| David Ward |
The election contest for the presidency of motorsports governing body FIA "is only three days old but already the gloves are off," according to Kevin Eason of the LONDON TIMES. Former FIA Foundation Dir General David Ward, who is also an FIA presidential candidate, is "to file a complaint to the organization’s ethics committee" about the efforts by Jean Todt, the sitting president, to "distort the election process."
Ward said that Todt has been "travelling the world to garner support ahead of the start of the election, declared open only last weekend." It is the first in "what is likely to be a series of bitter volleys." Todt is thought to be "in a strong position as the incumbent" to gain re-election but many believe that his "globe-trotting to FIA clubs, who will have the vote in December, could prove to be an Achilles’ heel." Ward has "close relations with many clubs and will also have a clear insight" into the running of the organization. LONDON TIMES
09/10/13 (GMM) FIA presidential candidate David Ward has denied he is siding with F1's old guard Max Mosley and Bernie Ecclestone in his push to dethrone Jean Todt.
It has been rumored that Ward, who worked closely with Mosley before Frenchman Todt took over, is being backed strongly not only by Mosley, but also the former FIA president's hand-in-hand powerbroker Ecclestone.
And not only that, the Daily Mail reports that Ward's campaign will be "helped" by Richard Woods, the former right-hand man during the Mosley reign.
"Woods has also acted for Ecclestone, albeit in the shadows," said correspondent Jonathan McEvoy.
"Despite having fingers in many pies, he is fundamentally a Mosley loyalist," he added.
Ward, however, plays down the links.
"I am not Max's man; I am not Bernie's man," he insisted, also denying that Mosley or Ecclestone are bankrolling his campaign.
Incumbent Todt, however, sounded less sure about Ward's continuing links to Mosley and Ecclestone.
"Don't put me into that please," he told the Telegraph last weekend at Monza.
"Because honestly I have my own thoughts.
"I have very good contact with Max. I like Max. I have always been defending Max.
"In May he sent me an email saying 'Don't hear the noise that I am interested (in the presidency) or that David is interested … it's not true. I am not interested'."
08/29/13 FIA President Jean Todt will face a challenge in his bid for re-election to the governing body’s top post, with David Ward confirming that he intends to run against the Frenchman ahead of scheduled elections later this year.
Ward, a close friend of Max Mosley, has resigned from his position as Director General of the FIA Foundation in order to take part in the December ballot. Having campaigned on behalf of Todt during the Frenchman’s successful 2009 bid, the Briton has now reversed his support for the current incumbent.
"After much careful thought I have decided to stand as a candidate in the 2013 FIA Presidential election," Ward said in a statement issued on the FIA Foundation website. "The election period begins in September and it will be necessary for me to approach FIA members to secure nominations. In these circumstances I think that the correct course of action is to resign.
"Election processes inevitably involve robust and lively debate, and whilst the Foundation is independent and there is no legal requirement for me to resign, I believe that it is in the best interests of the charity that I stand down now."
Although widely expected to seek a second term, Todt is yet to formally declare his intentions. Despite stating in 2009 that he would only run for one election-cycle, he has recently hinted at a desire to continue in the role.