Max Mosley has won the vote of confidence at an extraordinary meeting of the FIA (Federation Internationale de l’ Automobile) in Paris today. In a secret ballot, 103 votes were cast in his favour, with 55 against him retaining his position as FIA president. There were seven abstentions and four invalid votes.
The meeting was called as a result of revelations about Mosley’s private life which were published by the News of the World newspaper in March. They had obtained video footage which allegedly showed Mosley participating in a Nazi-style orgy with prostitutes.
Following the publication of the material Mosley came under heavy criticism from many in the sport, including major manufacturers and ex-World Champions. Despite pressure to resign Mosley stated his intention to remain as the president of the FIA. His term in office is not due to end until October, 2009.
Following today’s vote the German automobile club ADAC (Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil Club) was quick to distance itself from Mosley and the FIA. They issued a statement regarding the outcome;
“This is a reason for Europe’s largest Automobile club to let its functions and co-operation in FIA working groups rest at world level. ADAC will stay with its decision as long as Max Mosley holds the top FIA office as president.”
The next few days could prove to be a critical time for both the FIA and the future of Formula 1. BMW, Mercedes, Honda and Toyota have all openly expressed their discontent with Mosley. Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, whose company owns the commercial rights to the sport, warned Mosley against starting a battle for control of the catgory, but it may be inevitable. Ecclestone and Mosley have both previously been involved in such a dispute, although they were FOCA (Formula One Constructor's Association) allies in that case. A bitter feud between the FISA (Federation Internationale du Sport Automobile) and FOCA in the eighties threatened to tear the sport apart.
Mosley also brought a court action against the News of the World, with the case due to be heard in July. Last month’s Monaco Grand Prix was the first Formula 1 race that Mosley had attended since the scandal broke. He was asked to stay away from the Bahrain Grand Prix in a letter from the Crown Prince of Bahrain.
Despite a thrilling battle for the lead of the World Championship the on-track action looks certain to be overshadowed by the events in Paris at this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix.
