Publications
Partners
London, England - FIA president Jean Todt has moved to distance Formula 1's governing body from the sort of scandals that have gripped the world of football.
Fifa (world football) and Uefa (European football) presidents Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini were recently banned from the sport over accusations of criminal corruption.
Todt revealed that is why he has initiated an audit into the management of the world governing body of motor racing, even though he says he oversees a "very well structured and transparent" organisation.
'We are a transparent organisation'
He is quoted by the Spanish sports daily Marca: "I am also proud of the people who work (for the FIA), but I feel that to achieve excellence you should always try to make things even better.
"We are a transparent organisation, but I want to see if we can go even a step further in that respect. So I asked an auditor to take a look at our organisation, and if they notice something that can be improved, I will be very happy to hear their proposals."
On another subject, he warned that F1 should be "careful" amid its deliberations about enhancing safety by covering the cockpits with a cage or canopy.
Improve safety
Todt is quoted by Speed Week: "We must be very careful because we do not want to change the special nature of the different motor sport categories.
"On the other hand, we must do everything possible to improve safety."
Todt said he was badly affected by the death ofJules Bianchi in 2014 but particularly the sad plight of his close friend Michael Schumacher.
Todt revealed: "Coincidentally, I am seeing him (Schumacher) this very evening."
As for the Bianchi and Schumacher cases, he explained: "I'm not going to compare them. Through my son (Nicolas), I felt the terrible loss of Jules, but with Michael the situation is different because he is like my family.
"When someone is a part of your family, it is very painful to see them hurt."