Ari Vatanen, the former world rally champion, has announced he will stand for the presidency of the FIA, Formula One's governing body, in October.

The decision will pit the Finn against Max Mosley, should the controversial 69-year-old Briton decide to seek a fifth term in office.

"Responding to requests from many FIA member clubs, I shall stand for presidential elections of the FIA in October this year", Vatanen said. "I think the time has come for a change. My main focus is to reconcile views within the FIA and bring transparency to its stakeholders."

Mosley, who has been FIA president for the past 16 years, said last month that he would stand down as part of a peace deal with F1 teams threatening a breakaway championship. However, Mosley has since suggested that he could reconsider after accusing Luca di Montezemolo, the Ferrari president, of calling him a dictator and the teams of prematurely dancing on his grave.

He has also warned that the FIA's independence is under attack, with the team's carmakers seeking to diminish the body's role as defenders of motorists in general, and needed a strong president.

Vatanen, 57, won the rally world rally champion in 1981 with David Richards, now chairman of Prodrive and Aston Martin, as his co-driver. The Finn was a member of the European Parliament from 1999 until this year.

Other potential candidates for the FIA position could include Jean Todt, the former Ferrari team manager, who is seen as Mosley's preferrred successor should he step down.