Motor racing-Mosley to stand down, backs Todt as replacement

LONDON, July 15 (Reuters) - Max Mosley backed former Ferrari boss Jean Todt as his ideal replacement on Wednesday after ending speculation that he would seek a fifth term as International Automobile Federation (FIA) president.

"If he agrees to stand, I think he would be the ideal person to continue but also to extend the work of the past 16 years," the 69-year-old Briton said in a letter to all FIA member clubs.

"He can be relied on in all areas where the FIA is active. I very much hope you will give him your support."

Finland's Ari Vatanen, the 1981 world rally champion, is so far the only declared candidate to run motor sport's world governing body.

(Reporting by Alan Baldwin, editing by Miles Evans. To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)