- FIA
Ward pulls out of FIA elections
David Ward has pulled out of the FIA presidential elections after failing to secure the necessary support to launch his nomination, leaving the path clear for current president Jean Todt to retain his office.
Ward was seen as Todt's biggest rival and launched his campaign in August with a manifesto named 'Agenda for Change'. However, he failed to gain support from a sufficient number of regional Vice Presidents for Sport to secure his nomination to run against Todt and on Thursday wrote a letter to FIA clubs saying he has withdrawn his candidacy.
Todt is now likely to run for the election uncontested and secure a second term in office. Ward stressed that his candidacy had been as much about promoting change as winning the election, and in that respect he felt he had succeeded.
"My candidacy in the 2013 election has not been motivated by a burning ambition to serve as President of the FIA," he said. "My clear preference would be for a club president to be elected to that role, supported by the appointment of a new chief executive.
"That is why I have described myself as a reluctant candidate. What I have tried to do is to encourage debate about the flaws that exist in the FIA's governance system. I am satisfied that I have succeeded in that".
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