Ari Vatanen

Follow Ari Vatanen Updates:

. . .

FIA hits back at Vatanen in election row

| From afp.com

Ari Vatanen's campaign to become world motorsport's most powerful man hit fresh controversy on Friday when the FIA accused him of trying to question the ruling body's integrity.

Former world rally champion Vatanen stunned officials by asking a French court to impose a number of measures for the election which will decide the successor to Max Mosley.

But the FIA hit out at the Finn as the election battle, which also features former Ferrari team principal Jean Todt, took another ugly turn.

"Had Mr Vatanen troubled to examine the procedures in place, he would understand that these in fact already provide more safeguards than those he is asking the Court to impose," said a FIA statement.

"The FIA is at a loss to explain the purpose of this legal action, if not merely to generate further negative publicity and to attempt to raise doubts about the honesty of FIA staff.

"This is despite the fact that a large team of FIA personnel has worked continuously over recent months to ensure that the new FIA President is elected in a dignified and democratic way.

"This legal action follows a number of allegations made by Mr Vatanen to the media which attempt to call into question the integrity of the FIA's personnel and the FIA's election process. However, Mr Vatanen has not taken up an invitation to specify and substantiate his allegations."

The election takes place on October 23.