FIA Extraordinary Meeting Called

If I promise to get back to actual event of motor racing reporting on Friday, will you let continue to talk about Max? Thanks, I thought you would! Because now Mr Mosley has asked the FIA Senate to call an extraordinary meeting to discuss the events of the past week and presumably how this has all affected Formula One, especially given the recent statements from four manufacturers involved in the sport. The FIA have refused to comment in any detail over the meeting, only saying that it will likely be held at FIA HQ in Paris as soon as practically possibly.

The President of the FIA has requested the President of the FIA Senate to call an Extraordinary General Assembly in accordance with the provisions of the FIA statutes.

The full membership of the FIA will be invited to attend the meeting at which the widespread publicity following an apparently illegal invasion of the FIA President’s privacy will be discussed.

The FIA has noted that Mr Mosley is preparing legal proceedings against the newspaper in question.

It is anticipated that the meeting will take place in Paris. It will be held on the earliest practicable date. No further comment will be made by the FIA regarding the matter at this stage. FIA Statement.

This news comes after Mercedes, BMW, Toyota and Honda all issued statements of disgrace that Max Mosley is belligerently continuing in his role as president of the FIA. Initially the FIA kept out of the affair stating that it was an issue between Max and the newspaper in question. But now four key manufacturers have voiced concern and the FIA must act.

The three teams and one engine supplier do not have to be involved in Formula One. The sport doesn’t generate that much income for them and they have to preserve their reputations for the sake of their road car sales. I would imagine that if the worse came to the worse, they would leave the sport with hesitation.

To have four big companies leave the sport is perhaps a little far-fetched, but it shouldn’t be discounted either – teams come and go. While the governing body must not be seen to be siding with any one team, they must listen to them and understand their concerns. And I for one do not blame any body or company for not wanting to be associated with someone who has essentially admitted to hiring prostitutes and allegedly, although since denied, partaking in role-playing that could have had Nazi connotations.

Even Nico Rosberg has voiced concern over the saga:

We are racing drivers and we need to try and set a good example in general, because there are people watching you. It’s important to think about other people, young people especially. Young drivers coming up – you need to set a good example for them. Nico Rosberg.

And I think I’ll leave it there with those wise words from an old head on young shoulders.

Edit: Decided to add a poll (and correct the multiple typos – sorry Nico!).

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