Whoever replaces Bernie Ecclestone as Formula One's CEO will require the FIA's approval, Jean Todt has revealed.
Although Ecclestone has given no indication that he will step down any time soon, the question of who will replace him hangs over the sport. Speaking to journalists at the FIA Sport Conference this week, Todt said he has full confidence that the sport's controlling shareholder -- CVC Capital -- will make the right decision when the time comes.
"The actual promoter has been doing an extraordinary job to develop Formula One," he said. "That doesn't mean we do always agree, but I do respect all that he has been doing. Bernie has his style, everyone does. There is a major shareholder -- CVC -- they are very strong, talented business people. The day they decide something needs to change in the management of one of their assets, I'm convinced they know what to do.
"When you see the people on the FOM board -- people like Mr Brabeck [Peter Brabeck-Letmathe] the former chairman of Nestle; Mr Martin Sorrell, chairman of WPP; you know the list -- all those people, they know how to handle the situation. They will make a proposal. It has to be suitable for the FIA, but I don't have any real concerns."
Asked if the FIA gives the final approval, he said: "I'm not going to get into the detail of the contract, but they need to have a final agreement from the FIA, yes. We are talking with very respectable business people."