President Todt bids farewell to Formula 1 in Jeddah

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Jean Todt will enjoy on Sunday his final Grand Prix as the president of the FIA, the Frenchman ceding the baton of motorsport's governing body to his successor later this month.

Todt's twelve-year reign at the helm of the FIA has been marked by an active involvement in safety matters on both road and track.

But contrary to his flamboyant predecessor Max Mosley, Todt's interaction with Formula 1 has been discerning and discreet rather than authoritative and political.

But the 75-year-old was nevertheless active in the wings to ensure F1's safe transfer to the guardianship of its new commercial rights owner Liberty Media in 2016, and to help guide the sport into a new commercial and technical era.

On Saturday in Jeddah, Todt, who won't be present next week in Abu Dhabi, sat along with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali on his last team principal's meeting.

On December 17th, members of the FIA will vote for Todt's successor, with Briton's Graham Stoker going up against Mohammed ben Sulayem.

The latter is believed to hold an edge in the vote thanks to a recent endorsement received from Motorsport UK, the governing body of British motorsport.

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.