1981 World Rally Champion Ari Vatanen has officially confirmed that he will stand for the presidency of the FIA later this year.

In a brief statement issued this morning, the Finn said: "Responding to requests from many FIA member clubs, I shall stand for presidential elections of the FIA in October this year.

"My main focus is to reconcile views within the FIA and bring transparency to its stakeholders," he added. "I think the time has come for a change,"

Rumours that Vatanen might stand first began to surface earlier this week, as current president Max Mosley, currently embroiled in a bitter power play with the teams' alliance, continues to play a will he, won't he game.

Previously, Mosley had said that he would not stand for re-election in October, however, he appeared to have a change of heart in the wake of media reports following what appeared to be a climb down in the war with FOTA late last month.

If Mosley decides not to stand for re-election, it is understood that he is grooming a couple of possible successors, including former Ferrari team boss, Jean Todt.

Vatanen, who officially retired from Rallying in 2003, has also enjoyed success in the murky world of politics, serving as a Member of the European Parliament since 1999 until earlier this year, when he failed to be re-elected for the National Coalition .