Mosley preparing Todt attack and ‘comeback’
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| Max Mosley denies comeback |
(GMM) Max Mosley has played down reports he is preparing an attempt to return to power at F1's governing body FIA.
After a 16-year reign, the 70-year-old Briton hand-picked former Ferrari boss Jean Todt as his preferred successor as FIA president.
But rumors in recent days have pointed at discontent with Todt's rule so far, and a possible power coup headed by Mosley and supported by his long time sidekick Bernie Ecclestone.
F1 chief executive Ecclestone then fuelled the speculation by admitting on BBC radio he "didn't want Max to go and it would be nice to have him back".
Asked how that would work, the 80-year-old answered: "I suppose we could go back and Max could be president of the FIA and Jean could be president of FISA, running the sporting side.
"I don't think the teams would mind. If you asked anyone now if Max coming back as president of the FIA, if they would complain, I think they'd say no," added Ecclestone.
But Mosley responded: "I think my F1 days are finished and I've moved on to other things. One should never go back."
Asked specifically about the current paddock rumblings about a comeback, he told BBC's radio Five Live: "It's completely a rumor.
"It's a nice idea and very friendly to say 'come back' but the truth of the matter is it wouldn't be the right thing to do," he added.
Mosley said he still supports Todt.
"I pushed very strongly for Jean and I think he'll get the job done, and I want him to succeed because I'm responsible in part for him being there.
"The last thing really I would want to do is interfere with what he is doing now.
"He must be given a chance to run it in his own way, which obviously will be different to my way and might be better," he added.
10/19/10 (GMM) Former FIA president Max Mosley is preparing to launch a "comeback", according to an Italian report.
The usually authoritative 422race.com website said the 70-year-old Briton, who headed F1's governing body for 16 years until 2009, is secretly planning with his supporters to "reduce the power" of his successor Jean Todt by proposing rules changes.
The coup will reportedly take place at the FIA's next general assembly on 5 November, with Mosley and also Bernie Ecclestone upset about the direction taken by Todt.
"You can always expect anything from a man like him," said the 422race.com report.
In an interview published on Tuesday by the Guardian, F1 chief executive Ecclestone enthused about Mosley's intellect and political prowess.
He said Mosley "would have been a very good prime minister. Max would've been ideal. He would know how to handle things. Max had an awful lot going for him. Maybe people thought he was too clever," added Ecclestone.