The news is expected to come down later today that former Ferrari man Jean Todt has won the FIA election to become the new President of the sport’s governing body and will replace the outgoing Max Mosley.

There has been a bitter battle waged between Todt and his one and only opponent for the top job at the FIA, former Rally world champion, Ari Vatanen. However with the known support of most of the board, as well as the outgoing Mosley, more so after Vatanen threatened legal action against the FIA over their voting procedures, action that has since been withdrawn, Todt is a virtual shoe in for the position.

"It is not possible to make outrageous and divisive statements like Vatanen's and then expect the victims of insults and untruths to forget what has been said," Mosley said in a letter to Jordan's Prince Faisal. "The simple fact is that Vatanen will lose the election and lose badly, not least because he chose to denigrate the FIA and those currently in office rather than run a constructive and civilised campaign."

A total of 221 votes from all national motoring organizations involved in the FIA will be counted this afternoon and an official winner will be announced.