Jean Todt has vowed "to give something back" should he be elected as president of the FIA.

After being soundly endorsed yesterday by outgoing president Max Mosley, former Ferrari team principal Todt has today confirmed he is to stand for the election on October 23.

Todt, who faces a straight fight with former World Rally champion Ari Vatanen, now becomes favourite to succeed 69-year-old Mosley.

In setting out his mandate in a letter to the FIA member clubs, Todt intends "to offer continuity, but also to encourage change to meet the new challenges facing the sport and motoring in the years ahead."

Todt feels the FIA must be ready to shape and encourage a new era of global mobility and motor sport, and is ready to promote three major themes to his leadership: affordability and competition; innovation and excellence; team-work and co-operation.

Many critics would assess 'co-operation' has far from been top of Mosley's agenda over the years given what has been perceived as his autocratic style of governance.

Todt can at least call on a distinguished career in motor sport, if not tainted by team order controversies, which started in 1966 when he was a rally co-driver.

Over the years he has worked for many of the major manufacturers - BMW, FIAT, Ford, Maserati, Matra, Mercedes, Nissan, Peugeot Citroen, Renault, Toyota, and most notably Ferrari.

Under his leadership his teams have won four world rally titles, two Le Mans 24 hours victories, one world sports car championship, four victories in the Paris-Dakar, 13 Formula One world titles and 98 grands prix.

Todt remarked: "I have been very fortunate in my career to have enjoyed considerable success in motor sport and benefit from the hard work of previous leaders of the FIA in creating a global platform on which to compete.

"I feel that for me the time is now right to give something back to the sport and the FIA's clubs that have given me so much.

"I would also like to assist my colleagues from the mobility clubs in their important work representing the motoring public.

"For these reasons I am enthusiastic and excited to serve as president of the FIA."

As part of a 22-strong 'cabinet', Todt has proposed Brian Gibbons, Graham Stoker and Nick Craw as deputy president for mobility, sport and president of the FIA Senate respectively.

At present Gibbons is chief executive of the New Zealand Automobile Association, Stoker the chairman of the council of the UK's Motor Sports Association, with Craw the current FIA deputy president for sport.

Todt added: "I am confident that together we will offer the FIA the opportunity to elect a dynamic leadership team of outstanding experience and commitment."