Paris attacks: FIA president Jean Todt compares terrorist attack death toll to car accident fatalities

Todt made the ill-advised remark after being asked for his thoughts on the Paris terrorist attack

FIA president Jean Todt (Getty Images)

FIA president and former Ferrari Formula 1 general manager Jean Todt has risked a furious backlash after making ill-advised comments regarding the Paris terror attacks that killed at least 127 people by claiming that more people die in car accidents each year.

The 69-year-old Frenchman was asked for his thoughts on the devastating attack on Saturday ahead of qualifying for the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos, and while he condemned those who committed the massacre, he tried to use the incident to address his on-going campaign for improved road safety.

When asked for his thoughts, Todt replied: “Do you realise that the number of people killed in road accidents is by far bigger than the number of people who died in Paris yesterday.”

"We had already planned to do something tomorrow at the occasion of the day of celebrations for road victims," he continued.

"We had decided a minute of silence and of course we can't ignore what happened in Paris. We will have a moment of attention for what happened in Paris.

"Every day on our streets, 3500 people die. Every day there are 30 times more people who die than in the Paris assassinations.

"It's a bewilderment, the horror after this attack in Paris, but that could happen anywhere in the world.

"We only are poor spectators in front of such a spectacle. Paris is one of the great capitals of the world and it's not appropriate to link the FIA to this tragic accident."

Todt is currently leading the Road Safety 2030 scheme along with the United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon, but his remark has been slammed by many on Twitter who feel the FIA president should have shown a more compassionate side.

One Twitter user said: “Totally shocked by the comment made by Jean Todt regarding the Paris incidents.”

Formula One reporter Kevin Eason of The Times added: “Bewildered by Jean Todt's strange comments on the Paris terror attacks.”

Todt also announced that there will be a tribute to the victims of the tragedy ahead of Sunday’s Brazilian Grand Prix.

Todt oversaw Ferrari’s era of domination in F1 as he guided the team to six straight Constructors Championships and eight in total, as well as being a part of all five of Michael Schumacher’s Drivers’ Championships during his time with the Italian marquee. Having stepped down from his role as general manager in 2007 and leaving Ferrari two years later, Todt became president of the FIA in 2009 having already taken on the presidency of the ‘eSafety Aware!’ programme that is responsible for developing smart vehicles and road safety technology.