Mosley Hangs On 26/06/2009 I do not know about you but I am tired of the constant political bickering in F1. When the FIA/FOTA agreement was announced, I was innocent enough to believe that we would be able to talk of motor racing instead of the weasel words and underhand dealings of power brokers in back rooms. But no, Max Mosley has contrived to start everything up again, commencing with a letter to Luca di Montezemolo protesting at his use of words in press releases and threatening to stand for re-election if he did not receive an apology. And, not having received a reply from FOTA, he has sent the WMSC a missive that reads like the self-justifying lobbying he indulged in after the spanking scandal of last year.So, after months of argument over the future of F1 and finally a deal that appeared to satisfy everyone, Mosley deems it worth risking the destruction of the sport again because he feels insulted over the tone of Luca's announcements to the press. I hardly need to point out that this is the man who finds nothing wrong in calling the FOTA leaders loonies or referring to Sir Jackie Stewart as a certified halfwit. It seems that Mosley can dish out the insults but it is a different matter entirely when his own dignity is on the line.Plenty of readers warned me that we had not seen the last of Mosley yet - but I think even they were surprised by how quickly he proved them correct. In my innocence, I had hoped that the war was over and we could now talk of other and more savory things; fool that I am.It is particularly galling for me not to have seen this coming, since I have written twice before on the subject of Max and Bernie's habitual resort to argument by insult (Insult as Argument in F1 and Bernie's School for Insults). The sooner we see the back of this pair, the better for all concerned with F1, I am forced to conclude.I had thought today to dissect Mosley's letter to Luca and point out its exaggerations and logical inconsistencies but am just too sick of the childish posturing that passes for politics under Mosley's regime. Instead, I am reminded of something written by William Hughes Mearns for his play, Antigonish in 1899:As I was going up the stairI saw a man who wasn’t thereHe wasn’t there again todayOh, how I wish he’d go awaySomehow that seems to fit so aptly with Mosley's constant changes and illogical outbursts, so much so that I can only echo the sentiment of that last line.And that is all I am saying. I have had enough of F1 politics to last me for many years and have no doubt that you feel the same.
Clive
Peter Boyle Can someone please tell me just why Oswald is consideredby anyone other than Oswald to have the strongestintellect in F1?He can't even see the writing on the wall.FOTA should simply continue with the breakaway.and Bernie must be having fits that his double crosshas been double crossed. Date Added: 26/06/2009
Clive Peter: I, too, have often wondered why so many journalists regard Mosley as "the most intelligent man in F1". From what I have seen over the last few years, he shows little evidence of high intelligence and seems ruled much more by his passions than by his intellect.The danger is that FOTA will decide that there is no point in continuing their attempts to work with a man whose word cannot be trusted and will press on with their plans for a breakaway. Some might prefer that course of action but, if it is at all possible, I think F1 would be better off undivided.Of course, Mosley makes that almost impossible. It is insane that one man can destroy an international sport worth multi-millions for the sake of a perceived slur on his personal dignity. Date Added: 26/06/2009
Journeyer Clive, have you considered that FOTA may just decide to do a breakaway - but this time, get everyone on the 2010 entry list with them? If Williams, FIF1, USF1, Manor, and Campos decide to join FOTA's breakaway, Bernie/CVC would join them in a heartbeat. And Max would be left with nothing. Date Added: 26/06/2009
Clive Journeyer: It is possible, of course (and no, I hadn't thought that far ahead yet!). If all the teams left with FOTA, there wouldn't be any difficulty in working out which series was the real one, would there? ;) Date Added: 26/06/2009
Journeyer That said, FOTA's silence is rather intriguing - in response to Mosley's outburst, they just quietly released the transcript of their presscon. Reading it shows that they didn't say anything untoward to Max at all.While it is possible that they said certain stuff off the record (which I personally doubt - why would they do it?), the transcript just shows that Max's outburst is typical of a guy who, in Joe Saward's words, is clutching at straws.They may not have released any actual statement, but releasing the transcript is probably FOTA's best move yet. Date Added: 26/06/2009
Clive Journeyer: Yes, FOTA's response has been much more mature and responsible than Mosley's outburst. It highlights just how irrational Mosley has become and must leave the FIA delegates wondering if they need to remove him now before he does any more damage. Date Added: 26/06/2009
Nick Goodspeed Clive: You wrote "The danger is that FOTA will decide that there is no point in continuing their attempts to work with a man whose word cannot be trusted and will press on with their plans for a breakaway." I differ in that the danger is that FOTA will continue to believe it is worth attempting. Date Added: 26/06/2009
Clive Nick: It looks as though you are right. I just find it sad that the delusions of one man have necessitated a split... Date Added: 26/06/2009
Nick Goodspeed There is nothing sacred about the parts of motor racing that either Mosley or Ecclestone have their fingers in. They and their copyrighted emblems are worthless. It is the game that is of value, albeit less so with them involved. The FIA is not an asset so much as it has become an albatross. Why so many feel it is important to bend over backward to satisfy a endemically corrupt agency is beyond my comprehension. To trust and retrust a consummate, lying lunatic is a recipe for disaster. Time to stop threatening and ACT!!!!! Do it!! Pull off that bandaid in one fell swoop!!! Date Added: 26/06/2009
Clive Nick: Well, it remains to be seen what FOTA will do. The future of F1 lies in their hands... Date Added: 26/06/2009
Nick Goodspeed FOTA has no choice. Mosley is as loose a cannon as possible. Any deal agreed to with him will be void since he isn't of sound mind. I read a great comment on one of the blogs:"come on guys! Give Max back his marbles. This isn't funny anymore!" Date Added: 26/06/2009
Clive Nick: That is a great comment. The only problem is that I'm not sure he ever had any marbles... Date Added: 26/06/2009
Guilherme Teixeira Yeah, the future of Formula One lies in their hands. But, in my opinion, Formula 1 is a sport of drivers and teams. If FOTA brings all good drivers and teans with team, it will be Formula 1 indeed, but under a different name.I'm not afraid of the Breakway Series, because, with every passing day, it seems a better option. What is more important? The name "Formula One" or the names that make Formula One (teams and drivers)? Date Added: 26/06/2009
Clive Guilherme: All true, but I still think it would be better for all concerned if F1 were to continue - but with no Max in charge, of course. Date Added: 26/06/2009
RON I'm angry at FOTA...When they have the full support of the fans to create a breakaway series, they should excersize it...The FIA is an entirely broken mechanism, and has a reputation so bad, that no one wants it to be part of the breakaway series.I have not heard anything about people like Allen Donnley being booted out of the FIA, so my distrust of the body is 100% intact.Max's vile is all over the FIA, so it's distruction, or relacement is the only viable option for me. Date Added: 26/06/2009
David Perhaps I’m an optimist, but I only see mad Max’s most recent acts of stupidity as assisting FOTA’s cause. If they intend to create a take-over series, those previously opposed have now lost a further degree of credibility. If they merely intend to reform the FIA, the necessity to do so has now been underlined. Moreover, I can’t see FOTA’s ‘recent compromise’ failing to recognize the wing-nut’s instability, thus protection against whatever knee-jerk actions he decided to take should have been incorporated. Accordingly, I have to assume that FOTA can well ignore his ravings because he has already been marginalized.Whatever the case, I don’t believe that FOTA will be drawn into protracted argument till it’s too late to instigate their key option either, for the repercussions of their fail-safe ‘walk away en masse’ option would rattle on for years, and negatively affect them every bit as much as anyone else. Date Added: 26/06/2009
donwatters While I agree with you about the better path being keeping F1 together, I must admit Max has pretty much shot that concept in the ass...ass that he is. How can FOTA have any confidence in what the man says? Better off they proceed with their own series. They say they will pay attention to the results of their recent fan survey. Let's hope they do. It means lower prices, historic venues, more fan-friendly events, and best of all: F1 racing in North America. The only way F1 stays whole is if our nemises B. Ecclestone decides to join FOTA and toss Max under a bus. I don't really see that happening, do you? Date Added: 26/06/2009
Clive Ron: FOTA still has the option to create a new series, of course. I tend towards agreeing with David - that the team members are not fools and will not allow Max to spin things out until it is too late to set up a breakaway.Onme thing I am pretty sure of: if Max stays, the FIA will not have a F1 championship worthy of the name next year. Date Added: 26/06/2009
Clive David: I couldn't have put it better myself. That's pretty much how I feel about the situation too. Date Added: 26/06/2009
Clive Don: I doubt that FOTA would allow Bernie into any breakaway series they set up. They would just have excaped his greedy clutches - so what would be the point of letting him take over again? Anyway, Max says Flavio wants to be the Bernie... :DAs regards promises to the fans, FOTA has already been working on that. And American races are high on the agenda, I hear. So we could get what we want regardless of whether there is a new series or the old one minus Max (and with Bernie brought to heel). Date Added: 26/06/2009
Guilherme Teixeira Yeah Clive, surely it would be better a united F1 without Max in charge, but Max is not the only one who we want out...It's Bernie fault the we have such astronomical ticket prices, all those Tilkedromes in Asia and a classic venue being dropped each year. This year was Montreal and Magny-Cours. Next year is Hockenheimring (although this 2002 layout has killed the classic apeal of the track).With the Breakaway series, we can get rid of both of them with one shot ;) Date Added: 26/06/2009
Nick Goodspeed F1 ceased being F1 the moment Mosley sold the rights to Ecclestone.Now, what used to be F1 is FOTA. Ecclestone, Mosley and the FIA (the present legal owners of F1) are all parasites eating away at the body and soul of what once was great. They seem to have convinced an awful lot of people that they are irreplaceable. Fans want to be treated fairly. No more or less. Modern F1 hasn't done this or provided regular, decent racing a good while. Why do so many people have a loyalty to a series while those that manage the series treat them with disdain? The best thing that could happen is for a total restructuring with TRANSPARENCY! What do we see when these ninnies say they've come to a solution? Secret deals being agreed between Ferrari's boss, Madman Mosley and money grubbing Ecclestone. It is ludicrous and frighteningthat anyone would breathe a sigh of relief and claim this to be a solution. Date Added: 26/06/2009
Clive Guilherme: Your last sentence is correct but my fear is that a breakaway would take time to grow into something the equal of F1 today. Mind you, that would be better than Max staying in power... Date Added: 26/06/2009
Clive Nick: It's a feeling for the history and continuity of F1, I think. It is not easy to leave that to Max and the FIA while FOTA build something new. Still, if it has to be done, I'll stick with FOTA - Mosley's version certainly won't be worth watching.Incidentally, Max has been at it again. Autosport has an article detailing his latest nonsense.He's wearing me out... Date Added: 26/06/2009
Robin Its time to can to Mosley!! Date Added: 26/06/2009
verasaki This is why I do not trust him. If he wants a peaceful summer, why wait to stand down? Just do it and shut up. Date Added: 26/06/2009
Clive Robin: Hah, I've been saying that for years. And he is still hanging on! Date Added: 26/06/2009
Clive Vera: If only, Vera, if only... Date Added: 26/06/2009
Alianora La Canta Personally, I think Max is intelligent. The trouble is that he has a habit of misapplying that intelligence and therefore making big mistakes that a more flexible thought pattern could have easily solved. It's almost as if he's determined to prove the truth of the Doctor Who quote, "Logic... ...only allows one to be wrong with authority."Nick Goodspeed, if you want Max's marbles, I believe I may have found some of them on the floor during my cyberspace wanderings. If you wish, I will give you the Dewey Decimal numbers to loan them until Max takes the trouble to turn up, or at least phone to reserve them ;)RON, the non-creation of the breakaway was dependent on the deal holding. Now that Max Mosley is trying to single-handedly demolish that deal, the breakaway is probably cooking on the back burner while FOTA tries patient diplomacy first. It'll impress us even if Max and the FIA don't understand its significance or pay any heed. I like how FOTA is politely ignoring Max's frenzied comments while quietly proving his point. After all, Max is doing a good job of disproving his point on his own accord.verasaki, Max can't stand down for at least four weeks, even if he were inclined to do so, because he can only resign at a meeting designed to appoint his successor, which means a General Assembly... Date Added: 27/06/2009
isde97 I read the news Wednesday and thought great, Max lost and is on the way out. But until Max is out, he is still in, and while he is in, there isn't any way you can have any confidence in any agreement he has made. Max making more trouble was a certainty, the only question was what and how long. Athough, I will admit, upon reading the news today, my thought was "that was quick". The game to be played out now, I think, is does FOTA consider continue working with the FIA while Max is in? Wild prediction: Max resigns inside 1 week or the breakaway series happens. I read somewhere else that this isn't CART/IRL, it is CART/USAC. That one was no contest.MW Date Added: 27/06/2009
Lonny Fascinating to hear Max giving lectures about ethics and the FIA's duty to protect all us humble motorists from the big bad manufacturers. FOTA should simply tell Bernie either Max goes or he has nothing to broadcast. Bernie could threaten to sue the FIA for millions if they don't vote Max out now. I believe he is in the early stages of Alzheimer's, seriously. Date Added: 27/06/2009
Nick Goodspeed I have read that syphilis can lead to insanity. Hmmmm...now then, aren't orgies an obvious place to cultivate such a social virus?? It might explain much. Date Added: 27/06/2009
Clive Alianora: Max's letters convince me that his intelligence is hugely overrated - he may be cunning but his logic seems badly flawed whenever he sets finger to keyboard. One can accept logical inconsistencies in the spoken word, there being no opportunity for careful editing in such cases, but the fact that he seems not to notice that he contradicts himself so often and usually in the same document, tells me that either he does not edit or he does not notice his own inconsistencies. Whichever is the truth, it speaks to me of a mind that is very short of outstanding and definitely not "the most intelligent in F1". Date Added: 27/06/2009
Clive Isde97: I am quite impressed with the way FOTA is completely ignoring Mosley's threats and posturing. It seems the right way to go at this stage, effectively pointing out that Max is a spent force and would do better to keep his mouth shut from now on.Interesting comparison with the CART/USAC split. I think you're right. Date Added: 27/06/2009
Clive Lonny: I have had my fears for Max's sanity for a long time now. I have to be careful what I write but you know what I mean... ;) Date Added: 27/06/2009
Clive Nick: I'm not saying anything... :D Date Added: 27/06/2009
Alianora La Canta Lonny, if Bernie did that, the FIA could very easily sue for breach of contract, costing Bernie $365 million that CVC will be unwilling to provide him. This would probably lead to no series at all - or just Max's vision of F1 in 2011.Clive, Max would have to be intelligent to use some of the argument he uses. The trouble is that he tends to use them in the wrong context, seemingly on purpose to cause maximum confusion/irritation, or else use subtly twisted logic as an excuse to not do the right thing for the sport. Intellectually capable but lazy, and with low wisdom to boot. Not what anyone would want in a leader.He's like a lawyer who uses multiple intricate legal arguments to hide from everyone else that his client's case has, in reality, all the strength of a blancmange in a microwave. Perhaps it's not a coincidence that Max was once a lawyer... Date Added: 30/06/2009
Madmin This is just a test. Date Added: 14/11/2009
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