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Vatanen unveils election manifesto

FIA presidential hopeful Ari Vatanen has unveiled his manifesto for the forthcoming election - and outlined the details of the changes that he will undertake at the governing body if he wins October's vote

Making clear to dismiss suggestions that he was proposing to change the FIA's voting system to give more votes to larger clubs, Vatanen has said that his only firm plan on this front would be for a review to take place to decide how best to take the governing body forward.

"One of the first steps is to appoint a small working group of respected FIA leaders both from Mobility and Motor Sport to review the structure and operations of the FIA," wrote Vatanen in a letter to the presidents of the FIA member clubs.

"The group will recommend the changes required to ensure the long term viability of the Federation and its clubs. My goal is to give the clubs a much stronger voice in the decisions we make at the FIA.

"It is time for us to listen to the clubs. In particular, we will return to a presidential electoral process without the requirement to provide long lists of candidates. The leadership should stay in power only thanks to the trust of its members. This is the only proposal we have made regarding the electoral procedures.

"All major organisations are subject to increased scrutiny and therefore we also have to establish a real corporate governance to deal with potential conflicts of interest and to have transparency for the member clubs. The hallmarks of my team are values, honesty and transparency."

As well as proposing to strengthen the FIA's public policy effort if he is elected, Vatanen also said that he wanted to help expand the support for developing clubs and improve the governing body's operational efficiency. He also highlighted that the FIA should do more to help develop motor sports worldwide.

"Motor sport is a passionate and pivotal part of our heritage and it continues to give us dreams," he said. "I will never forget the gleaming eyes of a small boy in Timbuktu when he watched the passing Paris - Dakar caravan.

"The FIA has accomplished excellent things over the past few decades, notably in safety. While we redouble our efforts to render F1, rallying and other championships more attractive, we must pay special attention to the countries where the sport is still in its early stages.

"We need the transparency with which we govern the sport and establish the rules. In order to achieve this, we must ensure that the entire justice system of the FIA is above any doubts regarding its independence.

"To be more effective in our government of the sport, we will actively seek for ways to make the organisational structure leaner and establish a more hands-on approach where possible. For myself, in case the member clubs chose to elect me as the FIA president, I envisage a role of direct and active involvement and a presence in the FIA's flagship championships wherever necessary and desired."

He added: "It is time for the FIA to better serve the clubs. The FIA cannot have a life of its own; it has to be the office of services to its owners - the member clubs. In a rapidly changing world we cannot afford to continue with "business as usual".

"I need your help to bring about this much needed change."

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