Email campaign for Todt

The final stretch in the race to succeed Max Mosley is taking a very dubious turn. The British newspaper The Telegraph reveals this Thursday that a pro-Todt email campaign circulated at the beginning of last month. These emails are believed to be from Peter Doggwiler, Director General of the FIA ​​(Region 1) and David Ward, Director General of the FIA ​​Foundation.

In an email dated September 1, Peter Doggwiler, from the FIA ​​email account, asked supporters of Jean Todt to mobilize motorsport clubs, by calling them to rally them to their cause. “ JI will send you an updated lobbying list (?) and I will call you this week to see where we stand, and if I can make a proper report to Jean (Todt) », notes Doggwiler.

For his part, David Ward, probably speaking to Nick Craw (candidate for president of the FIA ​​Senate alongside Jean Todt), wondered about the Frenchman's potential in North America, where the powerful AAA was rather favorable to Ari Vatanen. “ I completely agree with your suggestions regarding a more intensive lobbying strategy with small clubs, says Ward. I think we need to expose the hypocrisy of the big clubs and make sure that the smaller clubs stay with us. »

Across the Channel, we are wondering about the legality of these emails, which could be considered “ a violation of neutrality » at the heart of an election. In addition, this "affair" comes on top of the low blows carried out in recent weeks, the candidates' statements via the press not lacking in bite. “ We tried to understand what our opponent's proposals were for the FIA ​​but we did not find detailed policies », wrote Jean Todt this week, saying he was targeted by a “ personal attack ».

The successor to Max Mosley as president of the FIA ​​will be known after the vote which must take place on October 23.