First test for Jean Todt's desire to spread 'harmony' at the FIA
Jean Todt's campaign for "harmony" at the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile will instantly break down if motorsport's president appoints one of Max Mosley's old guard to run Formula One. Less than 24 hours after the season ended in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, teams' thoughts were turning to next season and the man Todt will appoint in the newly-created position of F1 commissioner.
The Frenchman made a presentation to the Formula One Teams Association (Fota) last month about his intentions for the sport. But the feedback from that meeting made clear to him that there would be unrest if Alan Donnelly, who has been hotly tipped to become the inaugural commissioner, wins the job. Donnelly, Formula One's chief steward, is also Mosley's former special adviser and runs his consultancy firm, Sovereign Strategy, from the same Trafalgar Square address as the FIA's charitable arm, the FIA Foundation. Yet his position as chief steward has already come under the scrutiny of the teams, who demanded in writing that his executive-advisory and adjudication roles be split.
The complaint from Fota was lodged in June but it is understood there has been no response from the FIA and Todt's spokesman was unavailable yesterday. But such is the strength of feeling in the paddock against Donnelly becoming F1's new overlord that such a controversial appointment would be a remarkable declaration of intent by Todt.
Cash gain for Reds' rivals
Writing's on the wall
Calzaghe hails The Power
Cricketers' life is tweet