Oct.23 (GMM) British newspapers have put Jean Todt on pole position to beat Ari Vatanen in the race to become the FIA's new president.
With more than 200 member clubs to cast their votes for Max Mosley's successor in Paris on Friday morning, the result is expected to be announced by lunchtime.The Daily Mail and Mirror newspapers said Todt, the 63-year-old Frenchman and former Ferrari boss, is likely to defeat Ari Vatanen, the 1981 rally world champion and an ex European parliamentarian."There are 224 clubs in the FIA, although it is believed only 210 are voting," the Daily Telegraph explained. "Vatanen's camp believe that they have the support of 108 of them, with Todt's camp claiming to have 140 votes."The Times newspaper added: "Barring a shock, it looks as though ... Todt ... is going to carry the day against Ari Vatanen".However, a reader poll on the guardian.co.uk website showed overwhelming public support (87 per cent) for Vatanen, and the 57-year-old Finn is also the popular choice among F1 teams, who do not have a vote.
