Ferrari boss makes Mosley u-turn
Ferrari chief Luca di Montezemolo has backtracked on comments he made yesterday calling for Max Mosley to resign as president of motorsport’s world governing body.
Lurid revelations into Mosley’s private life were published in the News of the World at the end of March – but he won a vote of confidence in his presidency of the FIA on Tuesday.
The 61% vote in his favour prompted outrage from some member associations representing huge memberships of their own, with several major motoring organisations threatening to leave the FIA.
Germany’s 16-million strong ADAC have already withdrawn their co-operation with the governing body.
Ferrari president and Fiat chairman di Montezemelo was the first high-profile figure from a Formula One team to voice similar sentiments since the vote.
He told Bloomberg TV in New York: “I’m pleased that he is still there but I think he will be the first to understand that sometimes it is necessary to say, ’Now I have to leave my job for credibility reasons’.”
Those comments were surprising given that Formula One powerhouses Ferrari have been close allies of the FIA and Mosley in the past – and 24 hours later it appeared that di Montezemelo had begun to close ranks with the governing body.
However, in a statement issued by the Ferrari team today, di Montezemolo said: “I am happy that Max Mosley has been confirmed as president of the FIA.
“He has done an excellent job for Formula One in recent years.
“With regard to the future, it will be entirely up to him to decide if and when he should take a step back.”
Toyota had been one of four F1 manufacturers, rather than teams, to speak out against Mosley before the vote along with Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Honda but a statement issued today indicated they were now willing to draw a line under the affair.
“Toyota Motorsport acknowledge the result of the extraordinary general assembly and accepts the decision taken,” the statement read.
“Now that the FIA membership have expressed their view we hope that motorsport is able to conduct its activities unhindered by scandal, controversy and negative publicity.
“We also acknowledge and understand the position of the major touring clubs, of which many of our customers are members.”
Red Bull driver Mark Webber was the lone driver in the pit lane to criticise Mosley, saying the 68-year-old Englishman had brought the sport into disrepute, and while he stood by his initial comments he indicated he was prepared to accept the FIA vote results.
Webber explained: “We knew it would go the June 3 vote and they obviously think he’s the best man for the job. He got the votes he needed.”
Asked if his opinion of Mosley had changed, Webber replied: “No.”
