Calls For Mosley To Resign

Following this story that emerged last week revolving around Max Mosley’s alleged “Nazi orgy”, various sources including British ex-F1 driver Stirling Moss has called for the FIA President to step down, if the reports of his actions turn out to be true.

The main supply of resignation calls come from organisations based around the Holocaust. Karen Pollock, the chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, commented on the matter: “This is sick and depraved. For anyone to be in such a position of influence and power beggars belief. I am absolutely appalled.”. Words which were echoed by Stephen Smith, the director of the Holocaust Centre. “As Mr Mosley has condemned the racism in motor sport he should live up to the standards he sets.” said Mr Smith.“This is an insult to millions of victims, survivors and their families. He should apologize. He should resign from the sport.

Stirling Moss told The Times newspaper: “I don’t see how he can continue. I suppose what goes on behind closed doors is his business but when a thing comes out like this . . . it’s an absolute shocker.” However, Moss went on to say that he hoped Mosley would be able to survive this story, as Moss believes Mosley does a good job running the FIA. Bernie Ecclestone also leapt to Mosley’s defence, saying: “If somebody had told me this without the evidence I would have found it difficult to believe.”

“I don’t honestly believe (it) affects the sport in any way. Knowing Max it might be all a bit of a joke. You know, it’s one of those things where he’s sort of taking the piss, rather than anything against Jewish people.” Ecclestone seemed adamant that the heart of the sport wouldn’t be affected by it, but that is certainly what Ecclestone will be hoping. Ecclestone has, however, advised Mosley not to travel to Bahrain, saying that the Bahraini royal family “wouldn’t like” Mosley attending the race.

Mosley to resign? I don’t think he will. I think he’s the kind of character who will try and fight his way through the media hounds rather than shy away from a confrontation. I don’t know how long this story will take to blow over, but, I don’t think Mosley will walk away from such a prominent position so easily.

FIA’s New Qualifying Rule

Following this story on Toro Bloggo after Sepang, the FIA have decided to do something about it.

You may remember the third session of qualifying at Sepang; Lewis Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen were relegated five grid places for “impeding” Fernando Alonso and Nick Heidfeld while they were on flying laps. To save fuel, drivers trundle round the track at a fraction of the regular speed, posing a danger to drivers still on their flying lap. Following this, the FIA have decided to impose a rule that states the drivers must complete their in-lap in a pre-determined time.

An FIA spokesman said “Our clarification to the teams and drivers will be that cars returning to the pits having completed their flying lap or laps will be required to do so within a time we will set. This could be approximately 120% of the normal time.” There’s no question, cars going round the track in 3 minutes is dangerous, and thankfully the FIA have done something before it’s too late.