Mosley confident of FIA support

FIA president Max Mosley remains confident that he will gather the necessary support to remain in office when the sport`s governing body meets in June to decide his future.

Speaking publicly for the first time since the scandal surrounding his private life broke three weeks ago, Mosley believes he has the backing of the majority of the national motoring clubs that will vote on his future at an FIA General Extraordinary Meeting in Paris on June 3, and reiterated his desire to remain in the role.

“The fundamental reason I refuse to resign is that many of the people who elected me, the presidents of all these clubs, have written to me and for every letter that says `I think you should step down`, I`ve had seven that say `you`ve absolutley got to stay`”, he told the Sunday Telegraph.

“It would be impossible to turn around to the great majority and say `no, I`m going to walk away`. My inclination is to stay and fight.”

Mosley insists that he did nothing wrong and that he has received significant support from elsewhere in the motorsport industry, despite the criticisms issued in statements by Formula One manufacturers Honda, Toyota, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz.

“I think most adults would say that whatever in that spectrum somebody does, provided it`s among consenting adults in private, concerns nobody but the people doing it. I don`t see it as a moral issue, it doesn`t hurt anybody,” he said.

“A surprising number of people in motorsport have been amazingly supportive and it`s really quite touching. Bernie (Ecclestone) has been supportive and thinks the scandal is disgusting, but he`s got to get on and run his business.

“It`s interesting that none of the heavyweights in the sport have said anything, the people who really are the opinion formers in Formula One.”

He intends to make his case to the Extraordinary General Assembly meeting in June and is happy for them to decide his future.

“I`ll say `this is what`s happened, do you want me to go or do you want me to stay?` And it`s a matter for them, not for old drivers and things of that kind. If they wish me to continue, I will continue. If they don`t, obviously I`ll stop.”

Mosley also announced his intention, should he remain in charge, to step down at the end of his term in 2009.

“That was always my intention,” he added. “I was never going to go beyond 2009. I kept quiet about it because the day you say you`re going to stop, you lose your influence.

“Normally, I would have announced it in about a year`s time, but I will tell them that would be my intention.”

He also confirmed that he is pursuing legal action against the News of the World, and plans to donate any damages received to charity.

20.4.2008   ▪ Formula One    ▪ FIA, Mosley    ▪ www.autosport.com