Max Mosley will remain president of Formula One’s governing body, the FIA, after winning a vote of confidence from its members following his involvement in a sado-masochist sex scandal.
There had been mounting pressure for Mosley to go, from both leading national motorsport federations and also auto industry giants such as BMW, Mercedes, Toyota and Honda which feared for their image and sponsorship money.
But Mosley, 68, who appeared in a video on the Internet being beaten by prostitutes, will now be able to carry on as FIA president.
Mosley has admitted taking part in the hours-long orgy with five prostitutes but denied reports that there were Nazi connotations involved and has launched a legal action against the British newspaper, the News of the World.
After Extraordinary General Assembly (EGA), the FIA released the following statement:
“During the EGA held in Paris today, the FIA Member Clubs voted on a motion of confidence in the FIA President. The FIA membership voted as follows:
For the motion: 103
Against the motion: 55
Abstentions: seven
Invalid votes: four
U.S. delegate Robert Darbelnet, president of the American Automobile Association and a vocal opponent of Mosley’s, attacked the result.
“He secured his vote of confidence,” Darbelnet said. “It’s a very unfortunate outcome, it’s a very unfortunate day for FIA.”
Darbelnet added the AAA could follow the German’s.
“I will give it very serious consideration whether or not to remain effectively engaged in an organization that condones this type of activity,” Darbelnet said.
Australian representative Gary Connelly was more conciliatory.
“The organization has a great future,” Connelly said. “The majority of people believe we must remain united.”
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