Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has called on Max Mosley to stand down from the FIA presidency despite his endorsement by the governing body’s General Assembly on Tuesday.
At an extraordinary general meeting in Paris – convened after tabloid revelations about his sexual practices – Mosley won a vote of confidence of the FIA membership by a convincing 103 to 55 margin.
But the victory, achieved despite the vocal opposition of some of the most prominent national automobile clubs, has not silenced his critics or stemmed the calls for him to quit.
Montezemolo, who earlier this year praised Mosley’s achievements during his 15-year period of office, believes the 68-year-old Englishman’s position remains untenable because of the battering his reputation has taken since the scandal broke in March.
“I think he should realise that sometimes it is necessary to say to yourself, ‘I must leave for reasons of credibility’,” Montezemolo told Italian news agency ANSA.
Although four of Formula 1’s manufacturers – Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Toyota and Honda – led the calls for Mosley to stand down, the teams themselves have been tight-lipped.
However, Formula 1’s commercial impresario Bernie Ecclestone believes this may change now that Mosley’s authority has been diminished.
“Max has always ruled by fear – but I think more people will be likely to take him on after this,” Ecclestone was quoted as saying by the Independent newspaper.
When asked for McLaren’s views on the Mosley affair, a team spokesman told itv.com/f1: “McLaren has consistently refrained from commenting on the issue, on the basis that we regarded it as a matter for the FIA.
“The FIA has now reached its decision.
“We hope that the sport will now enter a period of stability.”
BMW Sauber team boss Mario Theissen used similar language to express his company’s hope that the sport will be able to move on from the Mosley saga.
Ecclestone, too, says he would like to see Formula 1 enjoy “a little peace”, but suggested this may not be compatible with Mosley’s continued tenure.
“What many people don’t understand is that Max enjoys confrontation,” he said.
“He likes argument! These things stimulate him.”