Жан Мари Балестр: Автоспорт әкімшісі және FIA президенті

French auto racing executive administrator (1921–2008)

Jean Marie Balestre (ʒɑ̃ maʁi balɛstʁ; 9 April 1921 – 27 March 2008) was a French auto racing administrator, who became President of the Fédération Internationale du Sport Automobile (FISA) from 1978 to 1991 and President of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) from 1985 to 1993.

Balestre was born at Saint Rémy de Provence, Bouches du Rhône. He studied law in Paris, and afterwards worked as a journalist on a number of publications.

Details of Balestre's activities during World War II are unknown. He was a member of the French Nazi division of the SS, but later claimed to have been an undercover agent for the French Resistance, and received the Legion of Honour for services to France in 1968.

After the war, he worked as a journalist for Robert Hersant at a successful French automobile magazine called L'Auto Journal. Balestre continued to work with Hersant as he expanded his publishing operations, which made Balestre a wealthy individual. In 1986, a few hours after the death of Henri Toivonen and Sergio Cresto in a crash, Balestre announced the unilateral decision of FISA to ban Group B rallying in favour of the slower, less technically advanced Group A. Despite this decision, WRC driver fatalities peaked in 1989. Balestre is credited with establishing specific crash test requirements for Formula One cars, significantly improving the safety of the sport. He was also a key proponent of the switch to naturally aspirated engines in 1989, also arguing that such a move was essential for safety reasons. Balestre has also been accused by some press of using his power for more than it was intended. In F1 season of 1989 Autosport magazine. allegations that were never substantiated This ultimately led to Max Mosley's decision to run for the FISA presidency. Senna fell out with Balestre who threatened to revoke his super license but was included on the 1990 entry list. However, when Senna deliberately collided with Prost in 1990 at the same circuit, Balestre did not intervene or sanction the Brazilian. Balestre was elected as president of the FIA, while remaining president of FISA, in 1986. He was replaced as president of FISA in 1991 when he lost the election to Max Mosley in October by a vote of 43 to 29. Facing certain defeat in the re election to the FIA presidency in October 1993, Balestre elected to stand down, and proposed that FISA be abolished and Mosley replace him as president of the FIA. Balestre maintained the presidency of the FFSA until the end of 1996.

Balestre died on 27 March 2008, aged 86.