UPDATE 1-Motor racing-Todt says he wants to be FIA president

* Todt standing for FIA president

* Former Ferrari boss will go against Finland's Ari Vatanen

(Adds details, quotes and byline)

By Alan Baldwin

LONDON, July 16 (Reuters) - Former Ferrari boss Jean Todt threw his hat into the ring on Thursday to succeed Max Mosley as president of motor sport's world governing body, the International Automobile Federation (FIA).

Todt's decision to stand came a day after Mosley, who survived calls for his resignation over a sado-masochistic sex scandal last year, had named the Frenchman as the ideal person to replace him.

The election is due on Oct. 23, with Finland's 1981 world rally champion Ari Vatanen the only other declared candidate.

"Following the decision of Max Mosley not to seek a further term of office and his unequivocal support of my candidacy, I have written to the FIA membership to inform them that I wish to stand for the Presidency of the FIA," said Todt in a statement.

"It is my intention to continue and expand the outstanding work of President Mosley," he added.