Todt fully backs embattled Mosley

The former boss of the Ferrari team has refused to join calls for embattled FIA President Max Mosley to resign.

Some sections of the motoring and motor racing worlds have condemned the 67-year-old Englishman further after he stated at the weekend that he intends to `stay and fight`.

But Jean Todt, the son of a Polish Jew who has even been touted by some as a possible candidate to replace the current FIA chief, refuses to accept that the affair is proof that Mosley is racist.

“Absolutely not,” the Frenchman is quoted as saying by the Daily Mail.

“He`s a true President. He knows his brief and is a great worker, reliable, very intelligent, a man of rare elegance.

“He`s a true leader. I`m still amazed people concentrate on things which are nothing to do with his role,” Todt added.

Monday did not, however, deliver only good news to the Mosley camp.

It emerged in the pages of the broadsheet Times newspaper - a sister publication to News of the World - that despite Mosley`s visit this weekend to the Jordan Rally, the King of Jordan does not want to formally meet with him.

Instead, Mosley will be the guest of King Abdullah`s brother, Prince Feisal.

“Definitely Mosley is not going to see the King,” a source is quoted as saying. “If he does see him, it will not be publicised.”

Source: GMM

21.4.2008   ▪ Formula One    ▪ Mosley, Todt    ▪ en.f1-live.com