Taking It To The Max

[Rory Phoulorie]

Monday 31st March 2008

If the story in the News of the World is to be believed then the FIA is headed by a practising sadomasochist with Nazi tendencies. And if we hadn't seen the pictures then we wouldn't have believed it either. Bernie Ecclestone had very much the same reaction when told the news (or did he buy the newspaper and check it out himself?).

So far we have seen no denial from Max Mosley that he likes to spend his time with highly-paid dominatrix, giving out and receiving punishment and acting out bizarre role play. However since the story was revealed in the British Sunday newspaper, the photos of "spanking Max" that adorned the item on the website have disappeared.

The story remains, though, which would seem to indicate that although the photos were an invasion of Max's privacy - they couldn't get him to sign a model release form - the facts are not in dispute.

If you thought that Stepneygate was bizarre, then this episode puts F1 scandals into a whole new realm.

ITV race pundit Martin Brundle, who had a libel action levelled against him by the FIA last year, has called it inappropriate behaviour for the head of a large public organisation. That's putting it mildly.

Certainly the phrase: "She needs more of ze punishment!" that Max allegedly yells in what the paper describe as a 'five hour torture chamber video' is going to become a regular in the Planet-F1 office.

To see the head of one of the largest sporting bodies in the world, trussed up in bondage gear and receiving a good strapping from a woman in leather is a sight most people in the paddock would not have anticipated. Once seen, never forgotten.

Now if it were simply the sex angle, then it might, just might, have been escapable. The British have long been fans of the eccentric upper class toff exhibiting saucy behaviour. Back in the 1970s there was a court case with The Spanking Colonel who used to lure women back to his cabin cruiser to spank their bottoms. When one complained about the colonel's buttock-beating antics he was hauled up in court. Everyone had a good laugh and the case was dismissed.

However the element of prison guard/prisoner role play with Max barking instructions in German, has all the wrong connotations, given that Adolf Hitler was a witness at his parents' wedding and that Aunty Unity formed such a strong bond with the Fuhrer that Eva Braun got jealous.

It is this element to the story that has a lot of people agitated. "How," they ask, "can Max complain about racist Fernando Alonso fans abusing the one black driver in F1 in Barcelona when he's behaving in such an abominable way himself?" - albeit in private.

There is of course an argument that what Max gets up to in his leisure hours is his own business and he should be free from interference to enjoy it. There is also another argument from people who say that they like to watch F1 in their leisure hours and they wish it was free from interference from Max.

Certainly if the story proves to be true it will be one of the most spectacular humiliations of a public figure since the Profumo scandal of the 1960s. Max needs to prove that this is one of the greatest fakes of all time. Otherwise he will lose all credibility.

How can anyone sit in a meeting with him with a straight face after: "She needs more of ze punishment!"

What is interesting is that neither the ITV website or the BBC website want to touch the story. Yet it could have the most profound effect on F1 in the future.

Max explained after Stepneygate that it would have been okay if Mclaren had told the whole truth straight away, but instead they fudged around the issue and covered things up. So now we look forward to the Mosley approach where Max spares us no details of his Friday afternoon sessions over the years.

He's due in Bahrain this weekend, which should be a fascinating experience for everyone concerned. Previously when there has been controversy in the air Max has failed to turn up at GPs where he has been due to give a press conference, citing flight scheduling problems.

If that were the case this weekend then we're pretty sure that Ron Dennis would be willing to lend him a ride in his private jet.

That's the least he could do.

Andrew Davies

Planet F1

[Plex]

Interesting read here, i not to familar who is this Max person.

[Rory Phoulorie]

[Plex]

Not really.

[Plex]

Pressure Continues to Mount on Mosley

Max Mosley is a man who is clearly on borrowed time, following the undercover operation by a British tabloid newspaper exposing him and five prostitutes in a Nazi style orgy. Calls for him to resign have been coming in left, right and center, however the F1 chief has so far resisted and has even attempted to pass himself off as the victim by starting proceedings to sue the newspaper in question.

Now in the latest developments of the scandal, the Crown Prince of Bahrain has banned him from travelling to the Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend clearly stating the scandal could effect the success of the event, but Mosley tried to cover up it his non-attendance by telling friends he was too busy with his lawyers building an invasion of privacy case against the British tabloid.

Unfortunately for Max Mosley this is the least of his worries with a number of the top F1 teams releasing statements condemning his actions. A joint statement by BMW and Mercedes-Benz described the content of the publication discraceful, and indirectly called for his resignation. Whilst Toyota and Honda released less aggressive statements, both expressed their disappointment by the actions of Mosley and stated the scandal had damaged the sports image.

Bernie Ecclestone has so far been the only noticeable figure to back Mosley, but it remains to be seen how long he will be able to continue to back him without damaging his own reputation. See the manufacturer's press releases and letter from the Crown Prince of Bahrain below.

Text of letter from Crown Prince of Bahrain to Max Mosley

Dear Max,

I was sorry to learn of the media stories which emerged on Sunday in the UK.

In light of the allegations, I suspect you may be deliberating on your planned attendance at the Grand Prix here in Bahrain later in the week. I therefore felt it important to convey the position of Bahrain and its people.

Clearly of paramount importance is the success of the event for all concerned - the Kingdom of Bahrain, Formula 1 and spectators. The focus quite rightly should be on the race.

With great regret I feel that under the current circumstances, it would be inappropriate for you to be in Bahrain at this time.

I don't want to add to the difficulties in which you find yourself, but I hope you understand the position we have taken.

Yours sincerely,

Shaikh Salman Bin Hamad Al-Khalifa
Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Bahrain

BMW & Mercedez-Benz joint press release
The content of the publications is disgraceful. As a company, we strongly distance ourselves from it. This incident concerns Max Mosley both personally and as President of the FIA, the global umbrella organisation for motoring clubs. Its consequences therefore extend far beyond the motor sport industry. We await a response from the relevant FIA bodies.

Toyota press release
Toyota Motorsport does not approve of any behaviour which could be seen to damage Formula 1's image, in particular any behaviour which could be understood to be racist or anti-Semitic.

Senior figures within any sport or business, including motorsport, must adhere to high standards of behaviour. When all the facts are known, it will be for the FIA to decide whether Mr Mosley has met the moral obligations which come with the position of FIA President.

Honda Press Release
It is necessary that senior figures in sport and business maintain the highest standards of conduct in order to fulfil their duties with integrity and respect.

The Honda Racing F1 Team is extremely disappointed by recent events surrounding Mr Mosley and we are concerned that the reputation of Formula One and all its participants is being damaged. We request that the FIA gives this matter careful consideration and reaches an immediate decision in the best interests of F1 and Motorsport.

Worldcarfans

[Plex]

ADAC Calls for Mosley to Quit Ahead of Extraordinary FIA Meeting

Max Mosley is proving that he won't go down without a fight. Following the very damaging press releases made yesterday by BMW, Mercedes, Toyota and Honda calling for his resignation, he quickly responded.

�Given the history of BMW and Mercedes-Benz, particularly before and during the Second World War, I fully understand why they would wish to strongly distance themselves from what they rightly describe as the disgraceful content of these publications.�

�Unfortunately, they did not contact me before putting out their statement to ask whether the content was in fact true.�

Continuing his defiance, Mosley has now called an extraordinary general meeting of all motor racing governing bodies which will happen at the earliest opportunity, presumably to explain his actions and attempt to gather some kind of support. But given that there are 222 separate organisations, it will buy him some time to plan his next move while the meeting is orgainised.

However ADAC (Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club) are not willing to wait by strongly urging the FIA President to "reconsider his role". This could prove to be a major blow considering this particular organisation is Europe's biggest automotive club with over 15 million members and could well be followed by further calls from other organisations.

UPDATE: Dutch motorsport federation has become the second organsation to come forward and have taken it one step further by directly calling for Mosley to quit. KNAF president Arie Ruitenbeek told the BBC: "Because of his high-profile position, this can't be accepted. I have not received my invitation yet (to the FIA meeting), but we will go and will vote for him to resign."

Worldcarfans

[Plex]

Hopes fade for besieged Mosley

Any remaining support for embattled FIA President Max Mosley withered bare on Sunday, as the Formula One world rested from the sex scandal for 91 minutes to take in the Bahrain Grand Prix.

It was a day that went from worse to hopeless for the 67-year-old Briton, who - barred from the event by the royal family - watched from one of his homes in Europe as Felipe Massa win the Sakhir race.

F1 Chief Executive Bernie Ecclestone, whose refusal to condemn his long-time friend thus far was a lingering hope for Mosley, cancelled a scheduled interview spot with the British broadcaster ITV - another sign that the writing is already on the wall.

Ecclestone's deafening refusal to clearly back Mosley may have been motivated by the conspicuous presence in the paddock on Sunday of Sir Fred Goodwin and Arun Sarin - respectively the biggest bigwigs of the major F1 team sponsors RBS and Vodafone.

"It's an FIA matter but we're watching it closely," Goodwin told the Daily Mail after a meeting with Ecclestone.

A writer for the Daily Telegraph observed: "Ecclestone has privately accepted his old comrade has to go, but was hoping he would not be required to handle the instrument of execution.

Now, he has no choice."

Meanwhile, the Australian federation reportedly joined the growing mound of Mosley opposition, as did the highest ranking motor racing official in Spain, Carlos Gracia.

"It is clear that this is a very unpleasant affair that is deteriorating the image of motor racing," he told the Spanish radio station Cadena SER from Bahrain.

Even those who had previously and historically supported Mosley are having to change their minds, as it becomes obvious that resignation is the only cure to one of F1's biggest ever scandals.

"If Max starts to think about things without emotion, then there can be only one conclusion - he has to resign," said former triple world champion Niki Lauda.

F1

[Plex]

High Court refuses Mosley video injunction

The High Court today refused an injunction to have the video that launched the scandal surrounding FIA president Max Mosley removed from the News of the World's website.

The judge, Mr Justice Eady, refused to grant the injunction, saying that content of the video was now so widely familiar that Mosley could no longer reasonably expect to keep it out of the public domain.

The BBC today reported the judge as saying: "I have, with some reluctance, come to the conclusion that although this material is intrusive and demeaning, and despite the fact that there is no legitimate public interest in its further publication, the granting of an order against this respondent at the present juncture would merely be a futile gesture. The dam has effectively burst."

The News of the World's legal manager Tom Crone issued the following statement: "Max Mosley's attempt to suppress the News of the World's video of his sordid activities has failed. The film is now back on the website."

Mosley has faced calls to resign from his position in the FIA from several key Formula One figures and manufacturers, but insists that his actions were harmless and legal and has vowed to remain in his role.

His legal team are also taking action against the newspaper for breach of privacy and are reported to be seeking "unlimited damages."

His claim is expected to be heard in July.

Autosport

[Plex]

Mosley faces more calls to resign

The FIA Senate's acceptance of Max Mosley's request to hold a general assembly meeting to discuss the controversy over his private life has done little to quell criticisms of the governing body's president.

With Mosley due to face a vote of confidence at the general assembly meeting on June 3, there had been a possibility of the matter being pushed out of the spotlight for several weeks.

But the news of the June meeting has in fact prompted further public comments from national motoring bodies, with Motorsport New Zealand the latest to come out and say Mosley should still step down.

The country's Automobile Association has already withdrawn an invitation for Mosley to attend a transport and environment summit in June, which would have clashed with the general assembly meeting anyway.

And now Motorsport New Zealand general manager Ross Armstrong has said it would be an 'excellent result' for Mosley to resign before the June 3 vote.

Speaking to Radio New Zealand, Armstrong said: "Sometimes it's better to go than be pushed."

Earlier this week, the Canadian Automobile Association joined the criticisms of Mosley in believing he should step down.

Leanne Maidment, director of communication for the CAA, was quoted as saying by the Press Association: "The recent events involving the leadership of the FIA have been distressing and it is CAA's position that the best resolution to this situation would be for Mr. Mosley to step down.

"CAA's relationship with FIA has been one that we value tremendously but we are extremely disturbed by recent media reports and the implications that this may have on CAA and other FIA members.

"Accordingly, CAA's President, Tim Shearman, sent a letter dated Friday, April 4th, to the FIA formally asking for Mr. Mosley's resignation. We hope that after careful consideration, he will do so."

But not everyone is critical of Mosley. Mohammed ben Sulayem, president of the Automobile and Touring Club of the United Arab Emirates, said he still totally supported Mosley.

"I think it has been used for the wrong reasons," ben Sulayem said about the matter. "Surely he did not break the law. This is something that is allowed there. I am a full supporter. If someone wants to use this for the wrong reasons, it is not acceptable.

"God gave us a very amazing gift not to forget. How fast can we forget what this man did for motor sport? Where it was and where it is now. He did not commit anything that weakens the FIA. We as members of the FIA elected him."

Autosport

[Plex]

Mosley confident of FIA support

FIA president Max Mosley remains confident that he will gather the necessary support to remain in office when the sport's governing body meets in June to decide his future.

Speaking publicly for the first time since the scandal surrounding his private life broke three weeks ago, Mosley believes he has the backing of the majority of the national motoring clubs that will vote on his future at an FIA General Extraordinary Meeting in Paris on June 3, and reiterated his desire to remain in the role.

"The fundamental reason I refuse to resign is that many of the people who elected me, the presidents of all these clubs, have written to me and for every letter that says 'I think you should step down', I've had seven that say 'you've absolutley got to stay'", he told the Sunday Telegraph.

"It would be impossible to turn around to the great majority and say 'no, I'm going to walk away'. My inclination is to stay and fight."

Mosley insists that he did nothing wrong and that he has received significant support from elsewhere in the motorsport industry, despite the criticisms issued in statements by Formula One manufacturers Honda, Toyota, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz.

"I think most adults would say that whatever in that spectrum somebody does, provided it's among consenting adults in private, concerns nobody but the people doing it. I don't see it as a moral issue, it doesn't hurt anybody," he said.

"A surprising number of people in motorsport have been amazingly supportive and it's really quite touching. Bernie (Ecclestone) has been supportive and thinks the scandal is disgusting, but he's got to get on and run his business.

"It's interesting that none of the heavyweights in the sport have said anything, the people who really are the opinion formers in Formula One."

He intends to make his case to the Extraordinary General Assembly meeting in June and is happy for them to decide his future.

"I'll say 'this is what's happened, do you want me to go or do you want me to stay?' And it's a matter for them, not for old drivers and things of that kind. If they wish me to continue, I will continue. If they don't, obviously I'll stop."

Mosley also announced his intention, should he remain in charge, to step down at the end of his term in 2009.

"That was always my intention," he added. "I was never going to go beyond 2009. I kept quiet about it because the day you say you're going to stop, you lose your influence.

"Normally, I would have announced it in about a year's time, but I will tell them that would be my intention."

He also confirmed that he is pursuing legal action against the News of the World, and plans to donate any damages received to charity.

Autosport

[Plex]

Prost: Mosley should be judged on ability

Four-time world champion Alain Prost believes that Max Mosley should not be judged on the sex scandal that has prompted an FIA General Extraordinary Meeting in Paris on June 3, but rather on whether he can continue to carry out his duties as FIA president.

Prost, speaking exclusively to autosport.com, said that while the details of the scandal itself are private 'and should not be judged' it was up to the FIA delegates and Formula One's manufacturers to decide whether it affected their ability to work with Mosley.

"Obviously you have a private thing, and I know that everybody says that but it's true," said France's only F1 world champion. "You cannot judge very much the private thing.

"The second thing is the sport, and the effect it is going to have on it. I'm not involved any more. But [when you are an] F1 team manager or a constructor, then you live in the system. You have meetings, and you can judge yourself if it is bad.

"It cannot be good. But is it very bad? Or is it a private thing and we should not interfere?

"Only themselves, they can judge and they can decide what to do."

Prost added that it was crucial, with Mosley holding such a key position within motorsport's governing framework, that the focus of any discussion must remain focussed on his ability to continue to carry on his work unhindered.

He also suggested that the details of the scandal itself should not be used as a reason to oust Mosley from power.

"Some people either like Max or they don't," he said. "He has a lot of friends but he also has a lot of enemies. But you should not use that as a personal affair.

"I think it's only the people involved in the thing, the constructors and the politics, they need to decide if, because there are a lot of very important decisions that have to be made about the sport in general. And Max is a really key person and that is the problem.

"If you cannot talk to him, or you cannot have a close relationship with him, because of that, to make the right decision for the future, for the environment, for the technical decisions, then it becomes a problem.

"Only they can judge and then they have to make the right decision in June, considering this problem."

Mosley maintains he has done nothing wrong and that he has received significant support from the motorsport industry, despite the criticisms issued in statements by Formula One manufacturers Honda, Toyota, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz.

He has also said he is pursuing legal action against the News of the World, the newspaper that sparked the scandal with a front-page expose in March, and plans to donate any damages received to charity.

Mosley recently announced his intention, should he remain in charge, to step down at the end of his term in 2009.

Autosport

[Plex]

Mosley stripped of official status for Monaco



In yet another setback for the embattled FIA President Max Mosley, it has emerged that his deputy has actually been appointed the governing body's official representative for next weekend's Monaco Grand Prix.

The development means that Mosley, set to face a confidence vote of the FIA senate early next month, will be conferred little more status than a mere spectator, as rumours continue that other paddock residents will attempt to avoid the scandal-gripped Briton.

The British newspaper The Daily Mail claims that the Monaco Royal Family, the Grimaldis, made it clear that Mosley - caught recently in a sadomasochistic romp with five prostitutes - is not officially welcome at F1's marquee event.

Measures will reportedly be in place to keep the parties apart in the paddock and on the grid.

It has emerged that Marco Piccinini, the Paris body's Deputy President, will in fact be the official FIA representative for Monaco, despite Mosley's scheduled attendance.

It is also believed that Mosley, 68, will not attend the post-race gala dinner, or the podium ceremony.

A spokesman for Monaco's Royal Palace confirmed to The Times newspaper that there is 'no question' of Prince Albert meeting with Mosley.

"We have just been informed that Mr Marco Piccinini will represent the FIA at the Monaco Grand Prix," he said.

"The Prince will only meet the official representative of the FIA, but maybe Mr Mosley will come as a private person to the Grand Prix," the spokesman added.

F1-Live

[Plex]

Mosley letter could be war - Ecclestone

Bernie Ecclestone has not ruled out suggestions that a letter written by fellow F1 powerbroker Max Mosley last week was a 'declaration of war'.

Ahead of the FIA senate's crucial confidence vote relating to the sex scandal, the embattled FIA President warned motor racing club Presidents that he should be kept in his role because of 'complex negotiations' about the future of the sport.

Mosley revealed that F1's commercial rights holder CVC, represented by F1 Chief Executive Ecclestone, is trying to renegotiate its 100 year agreement so that it has "control over the Formula One regulations and the right to sell the business to anyone."

Mosley also said he is opposed to the push for a new Concorde Agreement that would give non-FIA entities even more power.

"I sincerely hope that it isn't a declaration of war because, if that's what the message should be, then we'll have to defend ourselves," 77-year-old Ecclestone, referring to Mosley's letter, was quoted as saying by the British newspaper The Times.

"I don't want to have a war with Max. I hope he doesn't want one with me," he added.

Ecclestone also rejects Mosley's argument that the confidence vote on June 3 is about anything other than whether he still has the ability to be FIA President after he was caught in a sadomasochistic romp with five prostitutes.

"It's nothing to do with anything else and I don't quite know why he's come out and said these things," Bernie said, also rejecting Mosley's claim that F1 is on the verge of a 'major financial crisis' and the loss of more teams.

"I don't see any problems up until a couple of months ago," Ecclestone explained, referring to the News of the World expose.

Following a board meeting that took place this week, Ecclestone said CVC intends to reply to Mosley's letter.

F1-live

[Rory Phoulorie]

Car makers skip FIA engine meeting

By Jonathan Noble Saturday, May 24th 2008, 10:16 GMT

Max Mosley at MonacoFormula One's engine manufacturers declined an invitation to attend a meeting in FIA president Max Mosley's offices at the Monaco Grand Prix, autosport.com has learned.

The car makers have begun discussing future engine regulations, with a major overhaul planned from 2013. And, following their meeting on Thursday, representatives of BMW, Ferrari, Honda, Toyota, Mercedes-Benz and Renault were invited to continue these discussions with the FIA in Mosley's Monaco office on Friday afternoon.

However, the car manufacturers wrote a joint letter to FIA technical delegate Charlie Whiting informing him that they did not want to attend and asked to defer these discussions for at least two more weeks.

The letter to Whiting, signed by representatives of the six manufacturers and seen by autosport.com, said: "Thank you for inviting all the engine manufacturers to meet with you at 4pm today [Friday] in Max's office. As you know, future engine regulations decisions are made at the highest levels within our respective companies.

"In order for us all to come well prepared and with the correct representation we would kindly ask you to distribute an agenda and allow ample (two weeks) preparation time prior to the meeting. Therefore we request you defer the meeting to sometime in the near future.

"We look forward to progressing the Engine Regulations Process as set out at our meeting held in Paris on 11 January 2008."

The letter did not make any reference to Mosley himself, however sources told autosport.com that some of the car makers were keen to delay the meeting because they were nervous about the possibility of coming face-to-face with the FIA president while he is embroiled in a public sex scandal.

Mosley is due to face a vote of confidence on his role as FIA president at an Extraordinary General Assembly meeting in Paris on June 3. His visit to the Monaco Grand Prix this weekend is his first time at an F1 race since the News of the World made revelations about his private life, almost two months ago.

autosport.com

[Rory Phoulorie]

Mosley felt 'humiliated' by revelations

By Jonathan Noble Tuesday, May 27th 2008, 14:20 GMT

Max Mosley at MonacoFIA president Max Mosley claims in court papers obtained by autosport.com that the revelations published in the News of the World about his private life were 'demeaning and humiliating'.

Mosley is suing the British tabloid newspaper for a breach of privacy about the report on an orgy he had with prostitutes in March.

In documents filed by his lawyers in April, but only just made public, Mosley lays out his Particulars of Claim to detail the hurt he has suffered because of the News of the World story - and why he thinks they were wrong to prise into his private life.

And although Mosley has admitted before that he was 'embarrassed' by the story, the court papers suggest he was more hurt than previously acknowledged.

"The Claimant (Mosley) suffered grave distress and embarrassment as a result of the Article, and in particular the disclosure of this deeply intrusive and personal material," said the papers, which were signed by Mosley.

"The revelation of the Claimant's most intimate sexual fantasies was seriously demeaning and humiliating. It was also extremely upsetting for his family. In short, this material should never have been published, let alone in a national newspaper."

Mosley also attacks the claims that there was a Nazi element to the orgy - something he has denied from the outset.

The papers add: "The Claimant will also rely upon the Defendant's dishonest fabrication of the 'Nazi' sting, which was conceived as part of a phoney attempt to create some justification for what is (as the Defendant knew full well) a wholly unwarranted intrusion into the Claimant's private life."

Mosley has already vowed to give any damages he wins in the case to charity - although he points that he is seeking 'aggravated' damages because of the likely profits that the News of the World will have made from the publication of the story.

"In all of the above premises, and particularly given the Defendant's deliberate calculation (or so it is to be inferred) that the profits and/or financial or other advantages to be gained from the publication of this material would far outweigh any award of damages which the Claimant might recover in the event that legal action was taken (which was perhaps or might have been viewed as unlikely, since publication would have already happened by the time the Claimant found out), the Claimant is entitled to and claims exemplary, as well as aggravated, damages for the Defendant's outrageous and oppressive conduct as outlined above," said the papers.

Mosley's case is due to be heard in the London courts in July, while he is due to face a vote of confidence at an Extraordinary General Assembly Meeting in Paris on June 3.

The FIA president is believed to be re-filing invasion of privacy actions in France by the end of this week, while similar invasion of privacy actions in Italy and Germany are also being explored by Mosley's counsel.

autosport.com