Todt wants team harmony

Todt: Constructive change

It will also be necessary to reduce costs: considering the time we live in, carrying on at these levels is absurd.

Jean Todt
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Newly-elected FIA president Jean Todt says achieving a harmonious relationship with the Formula One Teams' Association will be a top priority as the two parties look to continue cutting costs.

On Friday, Todt claimed a landslide victory in the FIA presidential race, easily beating former World Rally Champion Ari Vatanen by 135 votes to 49 in the race to succeed Max Mosley.

However, the Frenchman now assumes a rather difficult position in that the relationship between the FIA and FOTA has been troubled during Mosley's final months in office.

Mosley's attempts to introduce a budget cap earlier in the year were met with such opposition that FOTA teams seriously considered breaking away from Formula One.

However, the two sides reached a deal of sorts, with teams agreeing to reduce costs to "early 1990s levels" within two years - and Mosley himself agreeing not to seek another term.

Teams have since signed a new Concorde Agreement - committing themselves to F1 until 2012 - and Todt now says that he hopes the thawing of relations will continue.

"It will be a harmonious relationship," the former Ferrari team boss told Gazzetta dello Sport. "That's necessary to improve everything.

"It will also be necessary to reduce costs: considering the time we live in, carrying on at these levels is absurd."

Constructive

The Frenchman also ruled out mass changes within the FIA, although he insists his management style will be different to that of his predecessor - Mosley being labelled a 'dictator' by Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo.

"I'm against who said we must change it at all cost," Todt said. "Not everything needs to be binned. We need constructive change. What was true ten years ago isn't true anymore now, for both road mobility and for the sport.

"I feel affection for Mosley, but we are different in our culture, studies, and nationalities. There are many things I see differently from him.

"I, as president, have to be content with indicating the path while being less present."

As for concerns that he could favour his old team when making decisions in F1, Todt insists that Ferrari will be treated the same as every other team.

He also denied reports of bad blood between himself and di Montezemolo.

"Our relationship will be excellent," Todt added. "I was sorry to read that my bond with Montezemolo has turned sour. That's all bullsh*t.

"In fact, the night before the election he sent me a very nice text message. I will never forget the 16 years spent in Maranello. But, even though it's the most famous and powerful team in F1, it will have to respect the rules."