Jean Todt is the new FIA president after comfortably winning Friday's election in Paris.

The former Ferrari team principal had been up against former world rally Ari Vatanen for the top job within motor racing's governing body.

Todt got 135 votes compared to Vatanen's 49. There were 12 abstentions or invalid votes.

The entire voting procedure was supervised by an external Huissier de Justice, the French state-appointed public witness.

The victory means he will succeed outgoing president Max Mosley, who made it clear from the outset that he wanted Todt to win the vote.

23/10/2009