Are You Reading, Max? 20/02/2008 I can't help it - I do love a good Mosley bash. And F1 Fanatic has a great post at the moment that majors on Max's love of reading F1 blogs. If you haven't given him a good thumping recently, hurry on over and score a few hits.Max pretending to listenIt is Autosport that supplies me with ammunition this morning, however. In an article entitled Toyota engine chief says KERS 'primitive', Luca Marmorini explains why he feels that the FIA have not gone far enough with their intended implementation of KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems) into F1. In comparison with KERS already existing in production cars, the system chosen by the FIA is out of date, apparently.Now, I am no engineer and I do not pretend to understand the latest advances in such things - but I am prepared to listen when someone with the expertise and standing of Toyota's engine chief gives his opinion. And, knowing that Max is a lawyer and not an engineer, I feel it is fair to say that he, too, should be listening to those who actually know what they are talking about.Whether Max likes it or not, F1 has to be about engineering advance or it loses its claim to be the pinnacle of motor sport. If it is to be governed by someone who is not an expert in the myriad disciplines that go into the creation of F1, that person should listen very carefully to those who are at the cutting edge of such specialties. The problem is that Max gives the impression of listening to no-one, preferring to press on with his own agenda, whatever that may be. To summarily dismiss the proposals of the manufacturer teams for future regulations and instead institute a freeze on engine development looks like petulance, rather than a sensible route to the future.Bernie Ecclestone defined the FIA's apparent approach to the government of F1 recently in his famous remark about his dislike of democracy. Bearing in mind that he said this as part of a tongue-in-cheek interview, it comes very close to expressing both Max's and Bernie's style of leadership. It may be that he has done F1 a service in that it focuses our minds upon the way the sport is governed.In the comments to F1 Fanatic's post, Steven Roy summed up Max's achievements to date as getting rid of Balestre - and that reveals perhaps the greatest weakness of the FIA's structure: the presidents tend to stay too long and are almost impossible to remove, even when they are doing a patently bad job. It is becoming very clear that Max is not the real problem; the fault lies in the structure of the FIA. Even if Max were not to stand for re-election in 2009, the likelihood is that the FIA delegates would choose someone equally inappropriate to succeed him. They do not have a good track record, after all, and have repeatedly demonstrated an abject subservience to the president.How the FIA can ever be re-structured I do not know. It is an organization that has proved extremely resistant to pressures from outside and it has weathered repeated threats to establish competing series to F1. But, if F1 is to survive as the pinnacle of motor sport in the future, it is imperative that some means be found to change the way in which it is governed.When a man such as Mauro Forghieri says that he no longer watches F1 because of the restrictions placed upon it, there has to be something wrong.
Clive
Don Speekingleesh Of course Mosley has to take some of the blame for the current structure of the FIA. It's his tinkering that makes it very hard for anyone to stand against the incumbent. Can't remember the exact details, but as far as I can remember you need to name your full cabinet when going for election, meaning several people have to risk the wrath of the winning candidate (and not just the loser of the vote). And of course the incumbent (or the chosen successor) is always going to be at an advantage, having had years to build up a power base and reward supporters. Date Added: 20/02/2008
Clive Yes, Don - I think we have to admit that, whatever else we think of him, Max is one helluva politician to have built himself such an entrenched position. Date Added: 20/02/2008
Steven Roy Had I read your article last week Clive I would have agreed with every word. However in the latest edition of F1 Racing I found out something that amazed me. They ran an article on Robin Herd discussing how he came to meet Max. My belief had always been that Max left school and went straight into law it turns out this is far from true. The two of them met when they were studying physics together and Robin Herd commented that he always has a laugh when he reads about people like us slagging off Max's technical understanding.Around that time Frank Williams was wheeling and dealing as usual trying to put some kind of deal together. He asked Robin Herd to go to a meeting in USA with him as his technical director. Herd was otherwise committed on the day in question so suggested Max. Imagine how different history would be if Max had become technical director of Williams.The big problem with the FIA structure now is that Max killed of FISA. The president of the FIA should have no involvement in sport. FISA should run the sport and the president of the FIA should only become involved if FISA cannot resolve a dispute. Date Added: 21/02/2008
Clive Interesting, Steven, but I would point out that much water has passed under the bridge since Herd and Mosley were at university together. Whatever he studied in those days (and not forgetting his association with Herd in the March team of the seventies), Max ended up in law school and his technical knowledge, whilst bound to be better than the average lawyer's, is also likely to be out of date. If Toyota's engine guru says Max went for primitive technology when choosing KERS for F1, it must mean something. And I dare say Mauro Forghieri knows what he is talking about too.We can say that Marmorini has an axe to grind and was just hyping up Toyota technology; but then so does Robin Herd in being a part of the failed March team. As for Frank Williams, he ended up with neither of them as technical director, didn't he? Not being as proficient technically as any of them, I have to weigh what each one says and decide from the evidence what is really going on. And when Max decides that a ten-year engine freeze (later reduced to 5 years by pressure from the EU) is the way forward, my task is made easy.Whatever his technical skills, it must be admitted that Max has turned out to be an able politician. The ditching of FISA has put him in an unassailable position and he is almost certainly impossible to remove until he decides it is time to go. I dare say there are quite a few politicians who would love to be in the same position. Date Added: 21/02/2008
Steven Roy I wouldn't argue with anything you have said and I am not claiming Max could have done Patrick Head's job. It is just that every now and then something turns up and makes me reconsider my view of Max. First I find out he raced F2 then this.I still disagree with practically everything he has done and the fact that he was a driver and has some kind of technical background just makes it worse.Personally I think Toyota are getting ready to pull their team out of F1 and I expect more of these kind of stories to turn up. Date Added: 21/02/2008
john f Reading from all of you the past year or two has educated me fully. The most disturbing thing that I have read so far is that Max knows personally what it is to be on the other end of his decisions. To relate something personal. When I graduated University I told my father that I wanted to become a US Marine officer. My father suggested that I first enlist and learn to take orders before I give them. Never had better advice been given. This is about the same thing Max did. I find it very hard to fathom some reasoning Max employed for his recent decisions. The other piece of advice my father gave me was "a little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing" and this is about where Max is now. He knowlege on the past is so long ago that it is "small". This is what makes him dangerous! Date Added: 21/02/2008
Clive Right at the outset of my blogging of F1, Steven, I declared that I would be writing my opinion, since that was all I had to give. At the time I admitted to my dislike of Michael Schumacher, thus being quite open in my bias in that regard. I now realise that I should have made a similar statement regarding Max - my excuse being that my attitude to him has hardened as I have learned more in the course of writing about F1.What has struck me most forcibly in writing of F1 has been how often those whose opinion I respect turn out to agree with me. Many times I have thought that I was sticking my neck out, only to be amazed at the amount of support I have been given by readers, especially those who know much more than I do. You have been one of those; it has been rare indeed that we have disagreed and I know that we do not disagree on the subject of Max.Let me say here how much I appreciate your contribution to this blog in the form of your comments. I have learned so much from you (including the matter of Robin Herd's comments on Max) that I am deeply in your debt. It is true, too, that I am always learning more of the complex history and character of Mr Mosley and often I am confronted with new facts that force me to adjust my estimation of him. Unfortunately, that tends to be a downward progression, rather than upwards - I began with too high a opinion of him, I think.I did know that Max raced in F2 and was a part of the March collection of initials, but it was a surprise to learn of his technical abilities. All I can say, judging from so many of his decisions as FIA president, is that they must have been lost somewhere along the line. The man is destroying the sport we love and there seems nothing we can do about it.As for Toyota, you may well be right. I can only hope that, if they do leave F1, they have the decency to continue and increase their association with the Williams team. Date Added: 21/02/2008
Clive I have learned much in the writing of this blog, John. Doing the research teaches me whether I like it or not (and sometimes stops a post mid-sentence!) and readers add so much more too. In a way, it's a joint learning experience and, hopefully, we are all the better for it.And that, perhaps, is Max's greatest weakness; he has become so certain of his correctness that he no longer listens to others. Not only is that a sign of bad leadership, it is also the beginning of old age. Learning is life - without it, there is only waiting for death.God, I hope he reads this blog! ;) Date Added: 21/02/2008
Mad Have you had any 'cease and desist' orders from his lawyers? If so, then yes, he reads you blog Dad... :p Date Added: 21/02/2008
Clive Not so far, Mad, but I keep trying! But anyway and as Andrea says, I'm judgement proof - I have no money to be sued for. :D Date Added: 21/02/2008
Steven Roy Thanks for the kind comments.Max says he reads blogs and finds it amusing when people have a go at him. He must be p***ing himself laughing if he reads this one. Date Added: 21/02/2008
Clive Somehow that thought gives me immense satisfaction, Steven. :D Date Added: 21/02/2008
Alianora La Canta Then the fact that a lot of the blogs that Yahoo!'s search engine claims are pro-Mosley blogs are in fact anti-Mosley blogs must amuse him immensely. It may even explain why he seems so content with matters as they stand.I have a simple three-part solution to the whole vexed issue of bad presidents - make it alternate-term (that is to say that no president may serve two terms in a row), insist that a substantial amount of the time between terms is spent outside the FIA altogether, and involve the whole racing community (including sufficiently interested spectators) in the process of electing the president. It can be spent at a team, working with a manufacturer, going back to university or simply having a well-earned holiday - the point is that it would be different from the day-to-day administration practised by the president and expand the viewpoint of the ex-president. The broad account of what was done in the time period would be made available as part of any re-election campaign, so that voters may assess such things as accumulated bias and increased understanding of other perspectives. It would also weaken the ties that president made during their tenure, since supporters would since have had to work with someone different. Since a term is usually five years, I'd be in favour of making the non-FIA period for a wannabe second-term president five years also.Don Speekinglish, you are correct - the whole cabinet must be nominated by all candidates prior to election. Also, only the eight members of the incumbent's cabinet may vote in the final part of the election. A pretty biased way of making a decision, methinks.Clive, I used to think Max Mosley was the bee's knees. How long ago the end of 2002 feels... Date Added: 21/02/2008
Clive Alianora, I have no doubt that your proposed re-arrangement of the FIA's structure would produce a much more sensible blueprint for the future. The problem, as always, remains in getting the FIA to agree to any restructuring at all. Max has created a self-perpetuating monster. Date Added: 21/02/2008
Arnet Having come a little late to the party, I have little to add to what's been written. Clive, if you find your self summoned, I'll sell the Lamborghini and hire you a crack solicitor!I joined F1 fandom when Niki Lauda returned to racing, and being a teenager and having little knowledge of or access to European F1 magazines, I missed the political struggles of the era. I have since read my history, and I thank all of the posters for sharing their vast knowledge with us. Clearly then, my focus on the current political situation is seen through the lense of what I was able to follow as it happened, first through magazines, then through the wonderful web.I honestly feel that Mosely's chief accomplishments were ending the internecine fighting under Balestre, and road and track safety, full stop. His meddling in regulations seems completely out of step with what his mandate should be. I will avoid obvious references to his father's politics, but Max clearly marches to his won drum, and perhaps that is fitting as the CEO of his own company, but the head of a quasi-political organization, a certain diplomacy and equanimity is required. These are clearly lacking in our peerless bleeder. In my non-F1 life, without defining it absolutely, I have a background with training in, and knowledge of, psychology and it's related fields. It is generally considered that a certain percentage (4-10%) of the population are considered to be sociopathic/psychopathic, and studies have shown that both the corporate and political world attract a much higher proportion of these types of personalities. Symptoms include ( I am quoting source) a glibness and superficial charm; grandiose sense of self; pathological lying; lack of remorse, shame, guilt; shallow emotions; callousness, lack of empathy; lack of realistic life plan/parasitic lifestyle; etc.I'll leave it up to the readers to decide. I know where I stand. Hope I don't get you into trouble, Clive! Date Added: 22/02/2008
Clive I have touched on the subject before (Max and the Engine Freeze), Arnet, so it's not entirely new to me. At the same time, it's not for me to judge Max's sanity - but there are times when he seems to act irrationally. Ah well, nothing we can do but continue to watch the unfolding saga... Date Added: 22/02/2008
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