Why David Ward's plans backfired

It looked to be the first challenge of an incumbent FIA president since Max Mosley took on Jean-Marie Balestre back in the early '90s, but in the end it fizzled out as first one, then the second wannabe withdrew ahead of Nomination Day, November 15.

Keen observers hoped for a showdown between Mosley's successor Jean Todt and the disgraced former president's associate for almost 20 years, David Ward, but on Thursday the former FIA Foundation director-general withdrew from the race after failing to fulfil the FIA's requirements.

No surprise: Ward recently suggested he might prove unable to comply, having heavily criticised a system he had helped devise under Mosley's reign - and was now, as potential candidate, campaigning to reform!

Indeed, during a BBC interview broadcast before Indian Grand Prix qualifying, Ward said he had a chance on December 6 should he "make it through the first round...", namely Nomination Day.

The usually suave Ward, who appeared uncharacteristically nervous during the broadcast, had, though, previously stated he would consider stepping aside should a stronger candidate materialise.

Against such pessimism it is little wonder he withdrew, but the abiding mystery remains: why did he throw aside a position as prestigious as DG of the Foundation he helped form when he must have known the odds were heavily stacked against him?

Ward may put it down to zealous idealism or courageous conviction, but then one must question why he in 2009 campaigned for Todt after Mosley endorsed the Frenchman's ticket, then waited until his own candidacy before attempting to change the system and criticise a man he previously endorsed such that he devoted a day a week to Todt's campaign.

Ward wanted change in the FIA © LAT

During the pre-nomination run-up there had been talk that Ward, the former British Labour Party parliamentary candidate/adviser-turned FIA lobbyist/administrator, was a stalking horse for Mohammed bin Sulayem, who since June has headed up the FIA's Motor Sport Development Task Force, or even a Mosley hell-bent on revenge after seeing Todt go against his policies.

It is thought the Emirati, who a month ago ruled himself out, leaving Ward out in the cold, will channel his not inconsiderable energies into a 2017 bid.

If successful it would allow the UAE to steal some of Qatar's 2022 FIFA World Cup glory. Think about it: an Emirati presiding over world motoring for four full years ahead of a four-week football tournament hosted by that pesky peninsula up the Gulf.

Of course, a third candidate could still materialise at the last minute - having mere hours to do so as this is written - but he/she would have to move PDQ to make up lost time, so it seems Todt, described by Mosley in 2009 as "unquestionably the outstanding motorsport manager of his generation, arguably of any generation", is a shoo-in for another four years to add to his 2009-13 term.

The nomination requirements Ward failed to fulfil are: 26 nominations from FIA member clubs (equating to global support factor of just 15 per cent, but a vital requirement to eliminate Monster Raving Loony Party-type dudes who campaign simply because they can), then (by name) potential senate president, deputy president Mobility and deputy president Sport, plus seven Sport vice-presidents. Thus 11 names including the primary candidate, plus 26 endorsements.

Where once there was a need to list seven Mobility vice-presidents in addition to the above, this requirement has now fallen away (after Ward's request for clarification), but it is a fact that in 2009 Ari Vatanen comfortably complied with (more stringent) requirements.

Assuming, though, that Ward had made the grade, the December 6 elections would have marked the second time Todt faced a politician, for 1980 World Rally champion Vatanen is a former member of the European Parliament.

In a twist of fate the Finn drove for Todt during the latter's tenure as Peugeot motorsport director, plus, to further blur the lines, at one stage served as Foundation trustee under Ward, who was, of course, a prime Todt campaigner in 2009.

Thus rallyist-turned-politician-turned-wine/olive farmer Vatanen is uniquely placed to comment on what will shape world motoring in general and international motorsport in particular for the next four years.

The lanky and trim 61-year-old provided an exclusive interview recorded before Ward's withdrawal, but it has nonetheless been published due to his belief that Todt, a champion co-driver before turning his hand to management, remains the ideal man to lead the FIA into the future.

Looking back, does he remain remorseful over the outcome of the October 23 2009 elections, which saw him vanquished 135:49 by his former competitor, then team boss?

Ari Vatanen © LAT

"In a way, yes, [but] when I see the long hours Jean is putting in, and he has no time left for anything in his life, in that sense I am relieved, but also not surprised, because of course I knew Jean; but when I analyse what he has done, maybe I should have realised, having known him for so long, what he's going to do."

At the time Vatanen strongly opposed Mosley's policies, and feared Todt would continue in that vein, for the hardliner strongly endorsed Todt.

Did Vatanen's relationship with Todt suffer as a result of the elections, during which time the two men hardly spoke, with Mosley further treating the Finn with disdain?

"The general fear was, of course, because Jean was so strongly endorsed by Max, it would be a follow-up of the previous politics, which were very turbulent at times," says Vatanen.

"We have forgotten already, since four years it has been so peaceful, no more conflicts, no wars. Jean and Max, their relationship at that time was so close, but in fact Jean has been his own man.

"Max did lots of good things - we must not forget it, particularly on safety - but of course Max was very controversial. So Jean has buried the controversial side of Max's legacy and he has been, as he promised, constructive, with no more conflicts and no more big attacks."

Given the rancour at the time, it is surprising to hear Vatanen talk so positively about the man who vanquished what is a highly competitive individual, one who set world rallying, Dakar and Pikes Peak alight during a career which saw him survive a massive, life-threatening shunt, and continues to play an active role in motorsport administration as president of Estonia's motorsport federation.

"I think," he continues, "the big thing is Jean started to build something consistently, in a constructive way.

"It takes longer than four years to do it, and there's still lots of things that need to be done, so even from that point of view nobody can deny Jean should not be given another chance. It makes sense that, in this case, the track record is so good that he should be able to continue building."

Why, then, the U-turn?

"Let's put the record straight," he says without hesitation, his reply making clear that he abhorred Mosley's approach. "I went for the opening, I was not out to dethrone anybody, and Max finally gave out.

"But when I stood, at least chronologically, we thought at that time we were actually standing against Max Mosley. I was only a couple of weeks as a candidate, and then Max finally said, 'I'm giving up my place and I want to hand it over to Jean'."

Jean Todt © XPB

Vatanen considered joining forces with Todt, but "we were too far in the race to turn around, and then I ended up being in the same race against a long-standing friend.

"Of course, at times it was tense between Jean and me. That's what democracy is all about, that's what election battles are all about. And I had done only three major elections in my life, so that was the fourth.

"I think Jean, since it was the first time he was part of an election, it was maybe a bigger shock than for myself. I knew once the election is finished the wounds have to be healed, then you work together.

"So now, when Jean has been faithful to his... track record, what he has done in his previous life, whether at Peugeot or Ferrari or elsewhere, he has continued working quietly and in a sort of comprehensive manner, in an inductive manner, taking other people on board."

Vatanen freely admits to having judged his former opponent, stating: "I look at people by their results, and it's obvious the benefit to the FIA matters, the interest of the FIA matters, [so] no political game, no anti-personal ego trip, but it's obvious I will support Jean, because he deserves it.

"And the FIA deserves to have Jean for four more years."

Had Vatanen considered standing this time? He is adamant it did not enter his mind: "Not at all. As I've said, last time there was an opening when finally Max stepped down. But now... you need a good reason that the incumbent president needs to be... sometimes, yes, the incumbent needs to be thrown out, but not this time.

"Jean has proven that he has done a good job and we need to join forces for the interest of the FIA. I hope that I can play a role in it."

Ari, a deeply religious and philosophical individual who lost his father in a motor accident at the age of 12, does not, though, rule out standing again in future.

"That remains to be seen. I have always said, when there has been a vacuum... there has to be a natural vacuum, it mustn't be something forceful or artificial. It has to be something that fits the piece that falls into the puzzle. That remains to be seen. I can't control life, so we will see how it turns out to be."

Although former driver and team boss met for lunch last week, Vatanen stresses he has not been offered any position in Todt's administration.

"Not anything. I've never been that my support would be in exchange of... something. I'm happy that our personal relationship is back to normal, because life is far too short that we would have a tense relationship for secondary reasons."

If he is positive about Todt, it's clear his relationship with Ward is fractious despite (due to?) their joint Foundation tenure. Vatanen freely expresses bemusement at the pre-election strategy chosen by the Briton, who seemed to curse his electorate just when he needed to pray fervently for votes.

Could Vatanen be the next FIA president? © XPB

"David has his qualities as a manager of that sort of [foundation], but I'm surprised he took such an offensive stand and sort of turn-around [in comparison to what] he said four years ago.

"Maybe he has been part of a bigger picture, I have no idea. Is Max behind David's plan? I don't know.

"But," he continues, "[the strategy] obviously raised... let's say his high-profile attack raised many questions, if this is the way somebody who supported Jean four years ago is now attacking Jean when Jean in the meantime has done many of those reforms.

"You must remember the FIA is a big organisation; it's not like a Ferrari, a Peugeot team where you hand-pick members.

"And now, to see David attacking him continuously, that doesn't create the kind of ambience we need, the kind of mindset we need to be in for the following four years. And I'm sure, unfortunately for David, it has backfired."

He believes that despite Ward's multi-faceted political experience, the Briton seems not to have grasped that the FIA electorate consists not of British broadsheet readers, but of rank and file club presidents of many creeds scattered across the world.

"I'm surprised that David, as a seasoned man of a political world, has forgotten that this is not an opposition government situation like in the parliamentary elections. We are part of a big, automobile-loving family."

That said, Vatanen gives Ward credit for pushing for change, saying: "The sporting federations as a whole - and the Olympic Committee, for that matter - they have to do soul searching to adapt themselves and to line up with the current, new spirit in international governance. But that takes time."

Vatanen, a dyed-in-the-wool democrat who signed an anti-communism declaration while in parliament, during the interview hoped Ward managed to assemble his list and stand "because it's good for democracy".

"But maybe now, given the style he has opted for in this election, maybe the fact that he's not... if he's not - that's a big if - if he's not able to form his government and get his team which will endorse him, maybe it's more a reflection of his election campaign than of the [system]..."

Ari for FIA president in 2017? Don't bet against it, but first it's Jean Todt for another four years...