Frenchman Todt, 67, has yet to confirm publicly that he is standing for re-election although all the signs point to him doing so.

In a statement issued by the FIA Foundation, 56-year-old Ward said: "After much careful thought I have decided to stand as a candidate in the 2013 FIA Presidential election. 

"The election period begins in September and it will be necessary for me to approach FIA members to secure nominations.

"In these circumstances I think that the correct course of action is to resign.

"Election processes inevitably involve robust and lively debate, and whilst the Foundation is independent and there is no legal requirement for me to resign, I believe that it is in the best interests of the charity that I stand down now."

Founded in 1904, the FIA groups more than 230 national motoring and sporting organisations in more than 135 countries and oversees Formula One as well as the World Rallying, Endurance and Touring Car championships.

In May it officially joined SportAccord, the umbrella organisation for all Olympic and non-Olympic international sports federations as well as organisers of multi-sports games and sport-related international associations.

Ward, formerly a key adviser to former FIA President Max Mosley, has led the Foundation since it was set up in 2001 as an independent charitable body with a focus on road safety and the environment.

He was also a policy advisor to the late British Labour Party leader John Smith, who died in 1994, and was then director general of the FIA's European Bureau in Brussels.

Jean Todt, formerly team principal at Ferrari, has been FIA President since 2009





Todt, Ferrari team principal when Michael Schumacher was at his most dominant in the early years of the century, was elected President of the Paris-based organisation in 2009 after comfortably beating Finland's former world rally champion Ari Vatanen in the vote.

He has made road safety a priority, travelling the world to promote FIA initiatives, and has maintained a low-key presence at Formula One races.

Candidates wishing to stand for office must submit their election lists between October 23 and November 13.

The election is due to take place during the FIA Annual General Assembly at the Hotel Intercontinental on the Place de l'Opéra in Paris between December 2 and 6.

Ward's former Deputy, Saul Billingsley, has been appointed acting director general of the FIA Foundation pending recruitment of a permanent successor.

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