Todt to remain FIA president

Jean Todt will remain president of F1’s governing body, the FIA, for a second term.

The Frenchman’s only rival to dethrone him in next month’s elections, Briton David Ward, announced on Thursday he is pulling out of the race.

"It has not proved possible for me to secure the required number of regional vice presidents for sport to ensure the eligibility of my list," he wrote in a letter to FIA member clubs.

"I, therefore, would like to offer my congratulations to Jean Todt who will secure a second term uncontested if not unopposed."

Michael Schmidt, the respected correspondent for Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport, said Ward has been highly critical of the FIA’s election rules.

Ward, who described the process as "highly undemocratic", needed the support of at least 37 clubs simply to be eligible for the election.

"An outsider," Schmidt said, "has virtually no chance."