Todt abandons F1 commissioner plans

The idea of appointing commissioners to each major FIA championship was a key element of Todt's successful election campaign in 2009.

But despite having appointed commissioners for a number of championships, including the WRC and WTCC, Todt has said that the structure of grand prix racing - with Bernie Ecclestone in control of the commercial rights - means there is little point in creating one for F1.

"I must say, I like to respect something when I promise it," said Todt, when asked about the idea of an F1 Commissioner.

"But for me it was a completely new experience when I went for this election. My advisors suggested that I should propose a commissioner to be the head of each FIA championship.

"As you may know, we have in each FIA championship a commission. We have the F1 Commission, we have the WRC Commission, we have the WTCC Commission and we have the GT Commission.

"And, except for F1, where the president of the commission is the commercial rights holder, Bernie Ecclestone, we have commissioners in each.

"We now have a rally WRC president - we have Jarmo Mahonen, who was the leader of my competitor during the campaign. We have in WTCC Alan Gow, from the UK, who is organising a very good British Touring Car Championship. And in GT, we have Christian Schacht, who is one of the top members of DMSB, the German sporting authority - who were part of my competitors during the campaign. I feel they are all really good.

"In this case, [F1] I feel it would be double to have a commissioner and a very strong president of the commission [Ecclestone]. So that is why I gave up this idea of having an [F1] commissioner."

Todt is into the second year of his presidency, and he thinks it is too early to ponder whether or not he stands for another term.

"I am just completing 18 months," he said. "It was quick. As you know the terms is 48 months, so I have 30 months in front of me. There is a lot I can do before I decide if I stand for re-election or not.

"At the moment, it is a tough job but I think with good people around me we can really develop the sport, the society, and the automotive [elements]. And we will see where we are."