Jun 9, 2008

Mosley Dodges Nazi Bullet

In a vote that some, including this reporter, viewed with utter incredulity -- something we’re used to when it comes to Formula One racing -- the general assembly of the FIA has decided to keep its president, Max Mosley, in the big chair despite the lurid sex scandal that has exploded around him in the last month. Some 103 of the 169 voting members cast ballots in favor of retaining Mosley, a reality that begs the question: What do you have to do to be dismissed from the high-profile position?

As we have detailed in this space in the past few weeks, Mosley has admitted to participating in a bondage-and-discipline-style orgy populated with prostitutes. He could hardly deny it, since he was reckless enough to let himself be videotaped taking part in the proceedings. Let us advise you right now, the video is not a pretty sight.

The British newspaper The News of the World broke the scandal, and it suggested that the orgy had Nazi overtones. This is the only part of the story that Mosley vehemently denied. His apparent defense was that as long as the orgy was not associated with ultra-right wing politics, it was simply all in good fun. 

Amazingly, a majority of the voters in the General Assembly, which was called strictly for the purpose of reviewing Mosley’s behavior, bought that argument. But the argument didn’t fly with many of the world’s largest auto clubs, which make up the FIA. The American, German, Japanese, French, Australian and Spanish auto clubs all voted against retaining Mosley. The AAA is the largest motorist organization in the world, and the German ADAC is the largest in Europe.

“It [the decision to keep Mosley on board] doesn't seem consistent with the manner in which an organization of this type should run itself, but you have to respect the decision of the voters,” AAA President Robert Darbelnet told the BBC. “This will force us into considering our options to ensure we belong to an international entity that properly governs itself and ensures proper representation to motorists.” 

Darbelnet’s comments raise a specter that terrifies the Formula One status quo.  The powers-the-be fear that the test vote on Mosley might lead influential clubs to break away from the FIA and that hundreds of millions of dollars of sponsorship money will follow them. That is why Bernie Ecclestone, the F1 kingpin and long a Mosley defender, has called for Mosley’s ouster. This story isn’t over yet.