The 63-year-old former Ferrari boss won the FIA general assembly election in Paris with 135 votes against 49 for former world rally champion Ari Vatanen of Finland.

Todt succeeds Briton Max Mosley whose reputation was badly damaged after it became public last year that he had engaged in Nazi-themed sado-masochistic sex sessions with prostitutes.

Mosley had agreed not to stand for a fifth term as FIA boss as part of an agreement struck in July to end the threat of a breakaway series by Formula One teams.

Friday's result did not come as a big surprise since the Frenchman had the backing of Mosley, Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone and seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher.

"We want to further develop Formula One so that it benefits all those involved, from teams to fans," Todt said, adding that he would establish an independent disciplinary panel to investigate and punish breaches of the rules.

The image of Formula One racing has suffered in the wake of the McLaren 'Spygate' controversy to Renault's damaging 'Crashgate' affair.

"This is positive, very positive," Schumacher said after the vote, adding that Todt was the right man to deal with tough tasks.

Todt moved to the Ferrari Formula One team in 1993 and persuaded Schumacher and Ross Brawn to join him. Under his leadership, the team won 98 races and 13 world titles, including six constructors' championships in a row from 1999 to 2004.


nk/dpa/AP/AFP/Reuters
Editor: Andreas Illmer