Sunday 23 March at 16:23 : Jean Todt in Malaysia denied rumours that, now essentially free of Ferrari duties, he might launch a plan to become the next president of F1's governing body.

Current FIA president Max Mosley is a controversial figure who is contemplating whether or not to contest the next elections, due next year.

But 62-year-old Todt, wearing plain clothes at Sepang where he is observing the team following his stepping down as both team boss and Ferrari CEO, played down rumours that his next step could be in Mosley's shoes.

"Max Mosley is a great FIA president and a good friend. I really hope that he will remain in the office for a long time to come," the Frenchman said.

"I know that he is considered to be controversial, but in my eyes he has been excellent for the sport," he added of Mosley.

Todt also nonsensed reports that he was forced to step down as Ferrari CEO at the end of a recently tumultuous relationship with its president, Luca di Montezemolo.

"So much nonsense goes around in this business," he said in Malaysia. "I hear that I am going to buy Toro Rosso, for instance. Gerhard Berger is a good friend, but we have never spoken about this.

"I heard that I will be presented as a team owner in Bahrain -- nonsense!" Todt fired.

"We live in a world where people prefer to complicate things when they are simple," he added.