23/06/2009
NEWS STORY
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For the second time in as many years, as more and more factions suggest that Max Mosley's removal as President of the FIA would be the easiest way to resolve the crisis that threatens to destroy the sport, the Englishman has called on the organization's member clubs for their support.
As the 8 'rebel' teams remain united, Mosley, writing to the member clubs, uses his well honed skills to rally his own troops.
"Over recent weeks it has become increasingly clear that one of the objectives of the dissident teams is that I should resign as president of the FIA," he writes.
"Last year you offered me your confidence and, as I wrote to you on 16 May 2008, it was my intention not to seek re-election in October this year. "However, in light of the attack on the mandate you have entrusted to me, I must now reflect on whether my original decision not to stand for re-election was indeed the right one.
"It is for the FIA membership, and the FIA membership alone, to decide on its democratically elected leadership, not the motor industry and still less the individuals the industry employs to run its Formula 1 teams."
While lesser men would have found it hard to show their faces in public again, Mosley brazened out last year's sex scandal, indeed, his victory against the media emboldened him. When Mercedes and BMW registered their unease with the revelations of his private life, particularly the original claim that there were Nazi overtones to the original six hour dungeon session, Mosley hit back, daring to break the great taboo by mentioning the war.
Few really believed he would not seek re-election, and the current saga has clearly given him the excuse. It can only be hoped that this time around however, the member clubs are not as easily fooled.
While Mosley argues that it is not for "the motor industry and still less the individuals the industry employs to run its Formula 1 teams" to decide who runs the FIA, why should the sport be governed by a man elected by caravan clubs in Outer Mongolia and roadside assistance organizations in Macedonia.
Meanwhile there is no official confirmation that should the FOTA split go ahead, the FIA will change the name of the pinnacle of motor sport - which in 2010 will feature Williams, Force India, USF1, Manor and Campos - from F1 to F-All.