Formula 1's Todt reelected as FIA president

Jean Todt was unanimously reelected for a second term as president of motorsport's ruling body the FIA on Friday. The result was a foregone conclusion as the 67-year-old Frenchman was unopposed in the election after Britain's David Ward withdrew from the race last month after failing to secure enough support to be nominated. Todt has been president of the FIA since October, 2009, following a career in motor sport management with Peugeot in world rallying and later, from 1992, with further huge success at Ferrari from 1993 in the Michael Schumacher era. In contrast to four years ago when he won the election by 135 votes to 49 for his rival, Finn Ari Vatanen, Todt this time only needed a show of hands from FIA delegates. "It's very satisfying and pleasant to get so much support," said Todt, who added that his first four years as FIA chief had seen "plenty of changes" including the upcoming launch of a Formula E series for electric cars. He also paid tribute to Nelson Mandela, the former South African president who died on Thursday. "He was a great man who fought for peace, equality, freedom," he said. Source: AFP