Martin Whitmarsh has told RACER that he thinks Ari Vatanen would be a refreshing change for the sport. Vatanen announced that he would run for FIA president this fall. Interestingly, Crash.net very astutely pointed out, that Ari was a rival of Jean Todt in the Dakar Rally and with all the talk of Max Mosley building a case for teh Frenchman as a successor; how rich is it that Ari throws his hat in the ring?
Whitmarsh said:
“I don’t know Ari particularly, but I think he is clearly fresh and new, and I think refreshing the sport would be quite good,†the 51-year-old is quoted as having said by RACER. “He was a racing driver, very successful, and a world champion, so I think he understands competition. I think that is fresh.
“He has been a successful politician – I don’t know if that is a plus or a minus, though I think inevitably it is a plus because whether we like it or not, none of us were signed up here to get involved in politics but there is a fair amount of politics involved in F1. If someone is going to be a reformer, he has the credentials to do that.
“It will be interesting to see what happens in the coming months, but if Max is not standing again and Ari is a candidate, I am sure he will get a lot of support as he seems to be a balanced and sensible individual.â€
Hint, hint Max!
