An official complaint to the FIA’s Ethics Committee over ‘support letters’ –
agreements pledging allegiance to Todt signed by clubs at regional FIA
meetings in the build-up to the election – was roundly rejected and Ward
admitted after that judgment was handed down last month that he might
struggle to get the backing he required.
Some felt that Ward, who quit his post as director general of the independent
FIA Foundation in order to stand, was simply a stalking horse for the UAE’s
Mohammed bin Sulayem, his role to test the waters and see what kind of
appetite there was within the FIA for change.
Ward himself admitted that he would have liked a club president enter the race
and adopt his reform agenda. Bin Sulayem, perhaps seeing which way the wind
was blowing, eventually threw his weight behind Todt.
In a letter sent to FIA clubs on Thursday, Ward offered his congratulations to
Todt “who will secure a second term uncontested if not unopposed”, adding
that he hoped proposed statute amendments regarding the eligibility
requirements to stand in a presidential election would be voted through at
next month’s General Assembly.
“The current FIA model is government of the leadership, by the leadership, for
the leadership,” Ward said. “I think it would be better if they took their
inspiration from President Lincoln. The FIA’s government should be of the
clubs, by the clubs, and for the clubs.
“The need to obtain seven Vice Presidents for Sport has given control over
whether or not there can be a contested election at all to the FIA’s sport
regions. Moreover, the use of support agreements in advance of the election
makes it very hard for any candidate to obtain the required Vice Presidents
for their list.
“In the FIA’s North American region, 11 out of the 12 clubs signed an
agreement to support Jean Todt in March. This left only one club available
to provide a Vice President for my list. Clubs from the region that are
sympathetic to my candidacy would have to break their previous pledge of
support. It is understandable that they have been reluctant to do so.”
He added: “My candidacy in the 2013 election has not been motivated by a
burning ambition to serve as President of the FIA. My clear preference would
be for a club President to be elected to that role, supported by the
appointment of a new Chief Executive.
“That is why I have described myself as a reluctant candidate. What I have
tried to do is to encourage debate about the flaws that exist in the FIA’s
governance system. I am satisfied that I have succeeded in that.”