Jean Todt for FIA President: A Return To Ferrari International Assistance?

Jean Todt has announced that he will stand for the Presidency of the FIA, when Max Mosely steps down later this year. 

Todt said: "Following the decision of Max Mosley not to seek a further term of office and his unequivocal support of my candidacy, I have written to the FIA membership to inform them that I wish to stand for the Presidency of the FIA."

"It is my intention to continue and expand the outstanding work of President Mosley, who for 16 years has worked tirelessly to strengthen the FIA's major motor sport championships and to position the FIA as the voice of the motoring public, actively promoting safe, clean, and affordable mobility for all."

Todt was CEO of Scuderia Ferrari between 1993 and 2008 and led the Ferrari team back to being the lead team in Formula 1.

If Todt takes over the reigns of the FIA, will he be impartial or will his decisions and loyalties favour his former employers?

I know the Ferrari fans reading this will be on the defensive and will be claiming that they have never been favoured over any other team and that people are simply jealous of their winnings throughout the years. 

I do not want to get into a debate about the previous decisions and of the Stewards and the FIA. I think regardless of which team or drier you support everyone can agree that there is a perception that the FIA helped Ferrari out on a number of occasions. 

If Todt is elected will the belief that Ferrari receives preferential treatment be continued or indeed intensify? If this happens what will happen in the future?

Given the latest series of stand off's between the FIA and FOTA will some of the teams feel that their continued presence in Formula 1 is no longer possible with Ferrari seen to be dominating the leadership and management of the sport?

There is a possibility that the appointment of Todt would also have the reverse effect.

Todt may decide that he needs his leadership to be beyond reproach, and as such will seek to not only distance himself from the Ferrari team, but seek to demonstrate his impartiality by being overly harsh on the Ferrari team. 

I am aware that all this may be academic as Todt has only put himself forwards as a candidate; however, it must raise a few questions in the minds of fans of Formula 1.