Jean Todt will succeed Max Mosley as the new head of motorsport's world governing body, the FIA, after winning the presidential election in Paris.
The former Ferrari team boss claimed 135 votes compared to 49 cast for his rival Ari Vatanen with 12 abstentions.
Todt, 63, was the favourite to win the vote after being backed by Mosley, F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone and seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher.
The vote brings an end to Mosley's controversial 16-year reign.
"Jean Todt has been elected president of the FIA for a four-year term by the FIA General Assembly at its annual meeting in Paris," an FIA statement said.
Schumacher, who had accompanied Todt to the meeting, added: "It's positive, very positive."
 | My team's approach will be based on consensus not confrontation Jean Todt |
Mosley had agreed he would not stand for a fifth term as president as part of a peace deal struck in July to end the threat of a breakaway championship by Formula 1 teams.
Following his decision, Mosley immediately endorsed Todt ahead of Vatanen, who had already put himself forward as a candidate.
Todt and Vatanen, who worked together on the Peugeot rally team in the 1980s, fought an increasingly bitter campaign to succeed Mosley.
Both presented themselves as the candidate for change and harmony.
Among Todt's proposals is the introduction of a new commissioner to oversee the running of F1, as well as the other FIA championships.
The Frenchman also wants to examine improvements to the stewards' decision-making process.
Todt said before voting began: "My team's approach will be based on consensus not confrontation.
"We want to further develop F1 so that it benefits all those involved, from teams to fans.
"As the regulator of a hugely competitive and technically complex sport we will also establish an independent disciplinary panel to investigate breaches of the rules and to recommend the most appropriate response."
Mosley's presidency has become identified with a period of political strife in F1, with a series of damaging rows in recent years.
Ill-feeling and suspicion remain and the F1 teams are concerned that the election of Todt, who Mosley has publicly backed as his successor, would effectively be a continuation of the Mosley era.
That belief is enhanced because Mosley, as an ex-president, will retain a seat on the FIA Senate, the powers of which Todt wants to extend.
As part of Todt's team, Nick Craw, who is president of the Automobile Competition Committee for the United States, becomes president of the FIA Senate.
Mosley's public backing of Todt infuriated Vatanen and led him to instigate legal proceedings last week to ensure the transparency and fairness of the election.
The Finn has now withdrawn that lawsuit after he, Todt and Mosley agreed a procedure for the election in Paris.
The secret ballot at Paris' Intercontinental Hotel were supervised by an external Huissier de Justice, a French state-appointed public witness.
The votes were then counted in private by the FIA legal department, under the supervision of scrutineers proposed by the two presidential candidates and designated by the General Assembly.
The votes will be now be sequestered for 12 months.
Todt developed a reputation in F1 as a divisive figure during his 15 years as Ferrari team principal.
 Todt was at Schumacher's side as he won five drivers' titles with Ferrari |
That image is at odds with the one painted by former Ferrari team members and drivers, who are largely effusive about his skills as a team-builder and manager.
Todt says he stands for "consensus not conflict", and he points out that he has already met the F1 Teams' Association, Fota, to discuss his plans.
Fota president Luca di Montezemolo, who is also president of Ferrari, welcomed Todt's appointment.
"I have always appreciated his ability, dedication and commitment," he said.
"I am sure that, under his guidance, the federation will be rejuvenated and will restore a climate open to dialogue and constructive collaboration with the teams and Fota, thus ensuring stability of the regulations and the whole environment."
Todt began his career in motorsport as a co-driver in the world rally championship, winning the manufacturers' title with Talbot Lotus before retiring in 1981.
After a successful spell in charge of rally teams, he moved to Ferrari and in 1996 he persuaded Schumacher and technical director Ross Brawn to join him.
Ferrari went on to win 13 world titles, including six constructors' championships in a row from 1999 to 2004.
After seeing Stefano Domenicali installed as team boss in 2008, Todt severed his ties with the Italian team in March this year.
The 63-year-old now begins another new era as Mosley's successor to the FIA presidency.
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