Saturday 29 March at 14:26 : Former FIA president Jean-Marie Balestre died this week at the age of 86, media reports said.

The Frenchman, who preceded current FIA president Max Mosley, passed away on Thursday, the French sports daily L'Equipe reported.

"His contribution to motorsport in France and indeed throughout the world has been unique," Mosley wrote in a condolence note on Friday.

Mosley took over from the often controversial Balestre following a power struggle in 1993.

He was president of the FIA between 1986 and 1993, and head of the governing body's sporting arm, FISA, between 1979 and 1991.

"He loved us so much, us drivers," Jacques Laffite is quoted as saying by L'Equipe.

"He did so much for us, and we owe enormously," he added.