Should he stay or should he go?
April 24th, 2008 |
Damien Smith |
55 Comments
Is Max Mosley’s position untenable? Or does his private life not affect his work as the president of the FIA?
Let us know what you think and we’ll publish a selection of your comments in the next edition of Motor Sport.
Filed under: Blogs, Miscellaneous
Tags: FIA, Max Mosley
This is Damien’s second spell as editor of Motor Sport, following his short stint (just nine issues!) in 2005. He has returned to the magazine after two years as editor-in-chief of Autosport, a magazine he first joined in 1996. During his time on the weekly, Damien covered everything from club racing to Formula 1, via Formula 3000 and sports car racing. He is also one of the two Trombonists on the editorial team. 
brendan:
April 24th, 2008 10:58am
Even if the Nazi element of his romp is not proven to the satisfaction of the courts, the fact that Mosley, by his own admission, gets his kicks by dishing out physical and verbal abuse to women makes his position as the global head of motorsport untenable.
His cocky intransigence in refusing to step down is doing enormous damage to the image of the sport. Forget the possible backlash on green issues being a long term threat to the sport, Mosley’s presence as the FIA President is a greater risk to the continued survival of motorsport as we know it.
He should have resigned weeks ago.
Aleš Norský:
April 24th, 2008 12:41pm
Mr. Mosley should have stepped down already. What he does behind closed doors might be his business, but once that door is opened, it creates whole new reality. He is a high profile public figure who holds a job of great authority and credibility. Anybody in such position is exposed to being compromised, and in his case it simply has happened. The argument that all this somehow does not count, because his privacy has been invaded is nothing short of hilarious. There are no second chances. Had someone else under Mosley’s jurisdiction been involved instead, I am sure that he would demand an immediate resignation from them. If it were one of the drivers, does anybody doubt that the FIA would revoke his superlicense in a snap? Didn’t Mosley few years ago press to bar drivers (i.e. Klien) from wearing earrings because it did not fit his perception of F-1? Of course, he said it was for safety reasons…
theRoswellite:
April 25th, 2008 3:31am
I am sure Mr. Mosley will make a decision that reflects the best interests of the FIA in particular and the world of motor sport in general.
I am sure no one has a better understanding of the duties of his job, and how important it is that there be a perception of integrity surrounding it.
I am also sure that Mr. Mosley, to have held his present position for such an extended period, must have repeatedly placed his duties above any personal interests.
Why am I so sure? Because the acting members of the FIA, over all these years, would have been grossly negligent to allow any man who did not have these qualities to remain in office.
And the FIA is an honorable organization.
Michael Ivans:
April 25th, 2008 11:28am
McLaren was handed out a $100 million dollar fine for “bringing the sport into disrepute.” Mosley then commented that they were lucky to still be in the 2008 Championship…
Surely his antics also bring the sport into disrepute? Could the sport really take him seriously after all this? I certainly don’t think so. He has to go, not next year, but now.
Ben Harris:
April 25th, 2008 6:41pm
The thing that stands out for me is surely the possiblity of Mosely’s antics being caught by a tabloid ’sting’ operation would have been much reduced if he had not started the legal action against Martin Brundle and, hence News Corporation. This is aside from the questions of the right of the married man to do these things in private which he keeps trying to justify this with, although i for one find them pretty distasteful…but if he hadn’t tried to effectively censor the media in the first place none of this would have happened, and anyone who tries to censor what seemed mild and justified criticsm is unfit for office already in my book!
And anyway…anyone who compares motor racing to a game of chess should have been slung out long ago(!!!)
D. Hutson:
April 29th, 2008 8:25pm
There is no doubt Mosley should have been immediately fired.
First of all, the actions verified and caught on tape are despicable.
He’s an embarrassment to the sport, the participants, the sponsors and the automobile manufacturers involved.
“What’s gone and what’s past help
Should be past grief.”
Or to use more modern terms:
“Don’t let the door hit you in the arse.”
F1 won’t recover until.
Jock Hiddleston:
April 30th, 2008 3:47pm
What a person does in his private life; behind closed doors is his own affair and one should not pass comment unless it affects others.
With his actions being made public they have caused embarrassment to all motor sport bodies worldwide and he has brought the sport into disrepute far beyond anything any other team are suppose to have done.
Mosley must walk the talk and stand down immediatly.
He is also uncannily acting like another old leader ie gone beyond his sell by date, refuses to accept the obvious,name also starts with an M.
Les White:
May 1st, 2008 1:19am
Mr. Mosley needs to step down today if not sooner. He has claimed the moral high ground and has now let us all down with his “private activity”. If you are going to play, you have to pay and I think it is time Mr. Mosely paid with his job.
Paul Martin , BexleyHeath:
May 1st, 2008 12:24pm
Max is a politician through and through. When cornered he lacked the style to put his hands in the air, admit it and fall on his sword. His retort to BMW and Merc bringing up WW2 and suggesting it was a scam and it may not even have been him in the room was a mark of Max getting desperate.
Its sad as he craved respect and social standing for so long only to have it all removed by his own actions. Lets be clear, this isn’t the first time Max has been somewhere enjoying a good time is it?
Only 2 people have come out in support so come on, where are the rest standing shoulder to shoulder with Max Moseley? He is a desperate man, clinging on to an office he can no longer run with any degree of integrity or morals without people laughing at him. He is now desperately trying to find a smoking gun so he can blame others. It wouldnt change anything anyway.
He has unquestionably brought the sport into disrepute. He should have gone immediately if he had grace. End of. You have only to ask yourself how long Ron would have been allowed to stay if it were he in Max’s place…
Bob Berman:
May 1st, 2008 12:32pm
Good Lord, hard to believe it’s even a question isn’t it? Nothing even private about it if you think about it. In any event I’d much rather read opinion about what his departure will really mean for the future of F1.
Scott Houghton:
May 1st, 2008 5:32pm
Well, being from the US, I am used to both the bizarre and the mundane coming out from people’s closets. However I must say I have never been fond of either one of the buzzards currently running the ivory tower that is F1. Certainly this should be looked on as an opportunity to freshen at least half of motorsport’s royal court and get on with a new perspective.
Jonathan Storey:
May 1st, 2008 7:35pm
Mosley is an embarassment to our sport and in my opinion hasn’t been a great leader for a long time. His demeaning comments levelled at Jackie Stewart were a disgrace.
Can we have a leader who has the interest of the sport at heart rather than someone shortsighted and more interested in their own image? Surely someone caught up in such a bad public light would have the good and common sense to remove themselves from office rather than wait for the inevitable sacking. Long live the new King.
Marc Brossmer:
May 2nd, 2008 3:19pm
Max Mosley has for some time adopted a “holier than thou” stance with regard to the public reputation of the sport, holding participants and commentators to an extremely high standard, and brooking little or no criticism.
Should he not be held to the same equally high standard?
If so, and if he is actually concerned about the sport, its reputation and its future, he has but one option.
He must step down.
If, on the other hand, Max is primarily concerned about Max,which seems to be the case, then, of course, he will stay on.
n mckeone:
May 3rd, 2008 10:39am
He has to go. No question about it.
Why can’t he take the right course of action and resign? How brazen is he to stand and defend himself with a belief that his personal life has no reflection as to what he does in his professional life?
But, he is a barister after all!
John Miller:
May 3rd, 2008 5:15pm
Surely the weird aspect of Mosley’s stance is his unwarranted assumption that his attitude and mindset as a sado-masochist can be safely compartmentalised in some sort of Pandora’s box.
Who knows how his illness (for such it is)manifests itself in his everyday life? To say it does not – which is Mosley’s defence -just cannot be true.
Anyway, on a more basic level, I deny anyone who stands eye to eye with Mosley, regardless of the topic of conversation, to not have a momentary vision of a stripey bum.
Sandy Urquhart:
May 5th, 2008 7:24am
Mosley should step down and the fact that he sees nothing wrong with what has been disclosed about his private life shows he has a serious personality disorder and not fit to hold the position. The FIA are at fault also as he should have immediately been suspended, and faced charges of bringing the sport into disrepute.
Graham Stanton:
May 5th, 2008 4:29pm
What people do behind closed doors is their affair, but as this has come out into the public domain, he has no option but to resign with immediate effect.
I thought that the way he handled the McLaren situation last year was very poor, and he had the cheek to question Ron Dennis and his integrity. He has questioned a great figure in our motor racing “greats”, but his own behaviour is undoubtedly questionable.
Filipe Amoroso:
May 6th, 2008 12:23pm
I don’t agree with the moral stance of those that say that anyone should step down because of whatever one does in private.
All that is being said in the lines of “yes, it’s a personal matter, but once it’s in the open it detracts from the public perception and reputation of the FIA, and hence he should step down” is very defensible.
However, that is saying that “it’s ok to do it if nobody knows about it, but if it leaks out, you should be punished”. Sounds wrong, doesn’t it?
Are we saying that if Kimi’s “For Your Eyes Only” London affair had been taped and published, he should have been kicked out of F1? What should be said of Innes Ireland, James Hunt? Aren’t these drivers amongst those who brought more of the much missed chutzpah to F1? By the way, if we went down this route, I understand the MotoGP grid would wear pretty thin too… And are we going to care that much about the same media that exposed this thing in the first place?
Isn’t the person who is causing more damage to F1 whoever ordered this exposure?
Max should stay.
There were stronger reasons for him to step down because of the McLaren/Ferrari and Renault/McLaren situation, and for his comments about Jackie Stewart, than because of this affair.
steven thompson:
May 6th, 2008 9:52pm
Of course he should go. In a business where image is everything it is unrealistic to have a figurehead with such an appalling private life. His participation in any event could only put other people in a highly embarrasing position.Apart from his own now tawdry public personae has the man no sense of occassion.
Steven R Thompson.
Neil Stretton:
May 7th, 2008 9:28am
Yes, it’s time for him to go. He’s served in his post well over the years, but his judgment in the recent past has become severley flawed. In this very commercial sport, the support of sponsors and major manufacturers is critically important, and so anything which might be perceived to bring the sport into disrepute must be dealt with decisively…as I’m sure he would agree??…..
Hedley Thomas:
May 7th, 2008 12:27pm
There is no question that Max should go. He has brought the sport in to disrepute by his actions and his subsequent defence of those actions have been the height of arrogance. Whilst we should recognise the good work done by Max over the years, his recent behaviour, coupled with his pursuit of Ron Dennis, a man of great integrity and belittling of Sir Jackie Stewart, are an indication of a man losing his judgement and his grip on reality.
John Painter:
May 7th, 2008 12:45pm
For the good of the ’sport’ he should resign. F1 is not enjoying such good press at the moment – the ‘Hamilton’ effect has not carried forward into 2008 and some teams are again beginning to feel the financial pressure. There is just too much finger pointing, back biting and scandal that the sport we once knew is now in serious decline, particularly from the more ‘enthusiast’ viewpoint. Let’s scrap F1 in its current guise, take on a new face and get back to proper racing again..
Jonathan Moorhouse:
May 8th, 2008 12:05pm
One would wonder if his wife was aware of his ‘hobby’. If he is prepared to live a lie with his wife how could he be possibly trusted in anything else in his life. Its his own affair, but motor sport is our affair and I would appreciate Max Mosley not being involved in it.
John Stubenrauch:
May 8th, 2008 4:01pm
It’s not the cause of the stink but the effect that’s important. As such I agree with your editorial conclusions. However, the FIA’s willingness to link this with the other recent unpleasantness seems to argue they will continue to support Mosley come the June meeting. Politics is politics.
Iain Paterson:
May 8th, 2008 9:03pm
I’m thoroughly disgusted with Max Mosley’s behaviour – not his much publicised dalliance – but his refusal to do the honourable thing and resign. It’s seems that he is using the period before the FIA meeting to ‘fix’ the result and I can’t help thinking that if the vote supports his stance, there are even fewer honourable gentlemen representing the sport than I (naively)would have hoped for. Perhaps it’s time for a complete clear out at the FIA.
greg feltham:
May 11th, 2008 8:31am
l think its time the black flag was brought out to end Max’s race, he has done enough laps… time to head for the pits…
Ian Holt:
May 12th, 2008 8:59pm
Mr Mosely’s ‘do as I say not as I do’, simply cannot now be accepted in this case. He has undoubtebly brought the sport into disrepute. How anybody in his position can try and jusify his current sitution beggar’s belief, forgetting his claims that he did not commit any Nazi act, the very fact that he has paid for the services of five prostitutes is against the law or is he exempt from prosecution?
Dave Cubbedge:
May 13th, 2008 8:55pm
Mosely must have taken a page from Bill Clinton – it seems that politicians are exempt from being of a high moral standard whether it be government of countries or the governing body of motor racing. What is surprising to me (and it may or may not have had any effect on current things) is the uncovering of his family story. He has got to go, and while we’re cleaning house, get rid of Bernie too for not working out the deal with Indy for the 2008 GP. There, I feel better!
Derek Smith:
May 14th, 2008 5:45pm
If, as Mosley quite rightly points out, the invasion of his privacy would be an offence in some other countries, surely the fact that his actions on the video are also illegal in some countries means that he has no leg to stand on.
Further, he gets off on beating women. Whilst Damien Smith says that Motor Sport takes no moral stand, I feel that the head of a multinational concern that thrives on publicity must set an example. Or rather a good one, perhaps just not a bad example. His desires are pre-programmed but his indulgence of them is a matter of choice.
Further, prostitutes are vulnerable. They enter the ‘profession’ for a multitude of reasons but there are few who do not regret it. This is not Jacqui and Tracey from down the pub returning for a bit of fun and nor is it the neighbours round for a game of twister so let’s hear no more about consenting adults as if it was a game of Monopoly.
There are many jobs and careers where one’s private life is of concern to one’s employer and I believe that had Mosley worked for a multinational company where image was important, he would have been fired as soon as his actions were known.
Mosley uses moral judgement in his defence of his actions, such as invasion of privacy. One feels that he can’t have it both ways.
On the matter of the fascist element: the essence of German nazi actions was the death camps, not the badge. The German military uniforms, the checking for lice, the beatings, the dehumanising prison uniforms and mention of the ‘facility’ can have only one interpretation of someone who, like me, was born in the immediate post war era. For someone of Mosley’s age, background and parentage, it is overwhelming. The argument about what wasn’t present is unsustainable, whatever the FIA retained lawyer might say.
And finally, how can a person who is barred from entering a country running a GP, shunned by the royal houses of Europe and the sports ministers of foreign countries, expect to perform his role?
As you may have guessed I feel Mosley must leave. His continued refusal to do the honourable thing is hurting the sport I love. He has no defence, no excuse, no credibility. Just go.
Roger Newman:
May 15th, 2008 7:31am
Here we have a man who doesn't realise that the majority of people think that beating women and being beaten by them is distasteful. Claiming they were consenting adults makes no difference, in fact they were not consenting they were prostitutes who were doing this not because they wanted to but because they prostituted their morals for cash. This is a behavior that, now it's public knowledge, makes it impossible for him to carry out his role. Too many important people who he should be lobbying for support will now refuse to meet with him. He's a dead man walking and the right thing to do would be to resign. Sadly, it's obvious that his ego won't let him do it.
All this on top of several years of inappropriate and underhand support for the "damn red cars", abusing respected racing personnel of real pedigree, underhand financial dealings and political shenanigans. For pity's sake Max, leave.
Phil Darby:
May 16th, 2008 10:33am
Until 2007 I thought Mosely had done a very good job but his handling of the "spygate" affair and his comments about Sir Jackie Stewart told us all it was time to go . Now as a figure very much in the public eye he shows that he has perverted morals and very poor judgement.
He should have resigned quickly and let us put the whole sorid affair behind us but now the whole sport has been ridiculed . The new president is going to have a tough job!!!!
Andrew Rawlins:
May 16th, 2008 4:21pm
Mosley's sadomasochistic tendencies explain a lot; his (sadistic) treatment of McLaren in 2007 and his (masochistic) determination to hang onto his job regardless of the damage this does to his own reputation and the sport in general.
Of course he should go.
Any FIA member who votes to keep him should have the courage to explain themselves in public.
–
Richard Wilson:
May 17th, 2008 7:22am
Mosley has bought the sport into disrepute, something he has accused others of. He MUST go.
Ian Mann:
May 19th, 2008 1:04pm
The scandal is an excellent opportunity to get rid of a guy who should not be in position in the first place – was it not him who was influential in selling (giving?) the commercial rights to F1 to Bernie Ecclestone? Look where that has got us. His handling of the McLaren thing would be laughable if it were not so serious – to my mind they have clearly been picked out for special treatment. Taken with the seeming bias towards Ferrari over a number of years, there is clearly something wrong in the way the sport is governed.
The bigger issue though is the unrepresentative way in which the sport is run – how can minor countries with no meaningful motorsport activity be given the same say as the UK, Germany, Italy, France etc?
Finally, it is crucial that the position be taken by someone who is competent and impartial. The idea that Jean Todt would be a good choice is unbelievable.
Philip Baker:
May 19th, 2008 1:20pm
Mr Mosley has brought the sport into disripute, if any of the team owners or drivers were similarly compromised I would expect immediate action from them. Why should he be different? To then later suggest in his threatening letter to the FIA that basically they cannot do without him further demonstrates the arrogance of this man. He seems to think that the normal rules of sport, governance, and common decency do not apply to him.
They do, and he should be reminded of that fact immediately.
Douglas Wood:
May 19th, 2008 2:20pm
I cannot see why these revelations about his private life have any relevance to his job. I don't think he has made a particularly good President of the FIA, but his private life has no bearing on the matter. His responsibilities as President do not include the moral well-being of motor sport participants, so I believe he should not be judged for his behaviour. How precisely is he damaging or hurting motor sport?
greg Page:
May 19th, 2008 2:26pm
Sir,
Thank you for voicing mine and many others feelings about Max Mosley.
I was still incensed from his insulting remarks about Sir Jackie Stewart and the lack of apology, when this latest tale of woe spilled out.
Max Mosley has taken advantage of his position, his situation is impossible, he must resign, the quicker the better.
G.I.Page
Arthur Pearson:
May 19th, 2008 3:45pm
When the Governor of New York State was revealed to have had meetings with prostitutes in Washington, DC and other locations he was forced to resign within ten days. While there were other factors involved (including money laundering), the bottom line was that he was no longer able to effectively run the state or more important, represent the interests of the State in various forums.
It would seem to me that is the question that must be answered here. Can Mr. Mosley effectively represent the interests of the motor sport and motoring industries effectively before the various organizations it is involved with. If you believe he can then he should stay. If you believe he can't then he must go. In my mind he cannot and so he should go.
George Webster:
May 19th, 2008 5:22pm
"We’ve taken a hard line on Mosley because we believe his position as FIA President, the most important job in world motor sport, is untenable. As you’ll read in Matters of Moment and Nigel Roebuck’s excellent column, we’re not taking a moral stance here. This has nothing to do with what Mosley does in his private life. What counts is the damaging effect these revelations are having, and will continue to have, on our sport. That’s all we care about."
I agree with this position exactly. As a Canadian born in 1939, the WWII Oswald Mosely part is not really part of my personal history — and I was prepared to not blame the son for the sins of the father, but, that aside and counting the 'Nazi' part as a throwaway, Mosley cannot continue as the head of the FIA and its involvement in auto racing. I am surprised that, given that he seems to still be a lackey of Ecclestone (going back to the FOCA days), that Ecclestone hasn't pressured him into resigning already.
Tudor-Owen:
May 19th, 2008 6:05pm
Mosley claims what he does in private, as long it's not illegal and as long as nobody gets hurt, is his business and should not have any bearing on his position in the FIA. As long as nobody gets hurt? Presumably his wife and children are all totally unaffected by this affair? Not even embarrassed? How could you have a serious discussion with the President of the FIA and not, for a even a minute, imagine him with his trousers down being spanked by some hooker! Get real. Mosely should go.
Patrick Ferguson:
May 19th, 2008 8:13pm
Mr Mosely should step down. Like it or not, private behavior not withstanding, as long as he is around, he will cast a shadow over F1. He needs to let it go and resign.
Alexandre Beirão:
May 19th, 2008 10:47pm
Dear Sir,
Mr. Mosley should have resigned some time ago. Even if he has done some good for the Sport, he seemed to be turning into a J.M. Balestre at his best, before the scandal and, after it, seems to have lost any capacity to adequately represent Motor Sport.
I write to you also with a request (please, please) not to change too much this wonderful and unique magazine. The move to modern racing, if limited to F1 and to the great writers like Mr. Roebuck is enough, as long as it doesn't, as promised, diminish the space you used to have for the History of the Sport (Drivers, Circuits, Races,…). To include modern US racing, articles on modern cars (even SUV's) and, as I read in the site, bikes, may turn this magazine into "just another one". Please don't do it.
Best regards
Alexandre Beirão
chris singleton:
May 20th, 2008 5:57am
Max has been pretty good at dishing it out to people over the years and no doubt if he were in the reverse position (pardon the pun) he would be asking for the others resignation saying the "sprung" parties tenure was unsustainable
As the saying goes "its time for Max to eat his own dog food"
Graham Rowan:
May 20th, 2008 9:37am
I imagine the phone lines between Zimbabwe and Paris have been buzzing these last few weeks as two desperate men exchange ideas on how to cling on to power.
I might expect this behaviour from a power crazed tin pot dicatator, but the President of Zimbabwe really should know better…
Gideon Williams:
May 20th, 2008 12:13pm
Any man with any kind of pride whatsoever, would have and should have resigned immediately. I guess you can only get up to such disgusting and repulsive antics if you feel that you are above all morality.
Mosley simply has to go. This whole debacle confirms he is out of control both personally and professionally. Get a bloody grip of yourself man and go away!
Brian Hunt:
May 20th, 2008 12:28pm
Yes Mosely should go. His private life is private until his sexual peccadilloes becomes public, then his public and political position in the FIA becomes untenable. Furthermore it suggests flawed judgement for a person in such public view to risk dalliances with prostitutes, and even more so to imagine he can remain without it affecting his authority. Does he not realise that now when he is interviewed people will be thinking more of his sexual preferences, than what he is saying. But of course a political person will never relinquish power willingly.
Stuart Edwards:
May 20th, 2008 4:57pm
Regardless of alleged happenings this problem is going to continue. Mr Mosley should go now before the sponsors of all motor sport – not just F1 – and other activities controlled by the FIA are forced to leave by their shareholders of which I am one.
Declan Dickens:
May 20th, 2008 6:09pm
Perhaps Mosley thinks that he will go but at a time and place that suits him and not at the behest of the popular press. However, he is way past that stage. The Sport needs a strong FIA to counter balance the F1 organisation and the manufacturers, not one hamstrung by a lame duck president who lacks any personal authority. He should listen to his closest friends who have his interests at heart, and they will tell him the game's up.
P Allen:
May 20th, 2008 9:00pm
If Mosley was a gentleman he should have fallen on his sword as soon as the scandal broke. How can governments, manufacturers, organisers etc. deal with a man with no honour? Surely a search of his house, computers and his e-mails, to see if there is more evidence of this unsuitable behaviour, would be appropriate as is common practice in FIA cases now. What is good for the goose(step) is good for the gander!
M Loveridge:
May 21st, 2008 10:05am
The arrogance of a man who thinks he can bring international sport into disrepute and then NOT resign is beyond belief. The longer he stays the worse for the sport
D Webber:
May 21st, 2008 2:17pm
Sir
Surely Max Mosley should not think that he is bigger than the sport, if he's done wrong then he should stand down A.S.A.P before he does further damage.
Such a responsible position calls for a responsible decsion so Max why not just go now.
His comments on Jackie Stewart surley where not warranted and only can prove what contemptable man we are dealing with.
Mike Bevan:
May 22nd, 2008 6:15pm
He's got to go & the sooner the better.
Michael Birbeck:
May 22nd, 2008 8:08pm
Max Mosley should resign immediately. As a man who holds high office he has shown particularly bad judgement! He demonstrated this initially by the egregious fine handed out to McLaren that set an entirely inappropriate tone and that has brought F1 into disrepute. His ongoing arrogance and denial of the implicationss with respect to public revelation of his sexual conduct, continue to show the same lack of judgement. He is guilty of bad judgement and for that alone he should stand down for the good of the sport.
David Cole:
May 23rd, 2008 7:50pm
What on earth have Mosley's hobbies got to do with his ability to run the FIA?
Nothing.
And sponsors will leave only when they no longer feel they are getting value for money, not because of someone's off duty activities
Filipe Amoroso:
June 23rd, 2009 1:49pm
Just to update my comment (it hasn’t been two months!) where I say that “Max should stay”, as “there were stronger reasons for him to step down because of the McLaren/Ferrari and Renault/McLaren situation, and for his comments about Jackie Stewart, than because of this affair.”.
The state we’re in today is more than sufficient reason for Max to go away. Backtracking on his decision not to stand for re-election is, perhaps indirectly, an evidence of his poor “governance”.
So, come October, Max should go.