FIA plays down neutrality breach claims

(GMM) F1's governing body on Thursday played down reports that senior FIA officials are breaching their neutrality by assisting Jean Todt's push for presidency.

The leaked emails made it appear that the Frenchman is being unfairly favored due his support by the incumbent Max Mosley, but an FIA spokesman insists that other officials are bolstering the campaign of Todt's rival, Ari Vatanen.

"We are aware that people are campaigning on behalf of both candidates," the spokesman was quoted as saying by the PA news agency.

Earlier on Thursday, the Daily Telegraph newspaper indicated that the FIA statutes do not preclude employees lobbying for electoral candidates, but that the situation might be a breach of French law.

The FIA spokesperson insisted: "The election is being conducted in accordance with the FIA statutes and with the law. Nothing we have seen has contradicted that."