Vatanen criticizes Mosley for recommending Todt

(GMM) Ari Vatanen has criticized outgoing FIA president Max Mosley for recommending Jean Todt to succeed him.

In a letter to FIA member clubs earlier this week, Briton Mosley lauded the former Ferrari boss as "the outstanding motor sport manager of his generation" and the "ideal person" to be elected in October.

On the other side of the presidential battle is 1981 world rally champion and former European parliamentarian Vatanen.

"It is wrong that Max wants to impose the new leader," the Finn, 57, is quoted as saying by Spain's Diario AS newspaper.

"The FIA is not a kingdom but rather a republic whose leaders are elected democratically," Vatanen added.