Mosley avoidance strategies

If Max Mosley turns up in the Monte Carlo paddock, the race is going to be heavily overshadowed by reporting of his every move. The Formula One teams do not want him there but they are - institutionally - frightened of him. There are going to be some awkward moments and some people are inevitably going to have to end up dealing with him in public. Of course it will be quite amusing on one level - the media will go nuts and his fawning courtiers will be all over him - but on another level it will be very serious. It seems odd to me that Royal families in Bahrain and Spain and the Turkish prime minister could not stomach Mosley, but the Monagasque Royal house are willing - at this stage at least - to put up with him.

Here is the text of my story on the subject from today's paper.

After a gripping Turkish Grand Prix on Sunday, the Formula One teams are nervously eyeing Monaco in 12 days' time, when Max Mosley, the disgraced FIA president, is hoping to make his return to the paddock.

Since the scandal broke over his appetite for alleged Nazi-inspired sadomasochistic bondage sessions with prostitutes, many senior figures in the paddock have admitted privately that they would like Mosley to resign, but few have had the courage to air their views publicly.

Now they are wondering how to avoid meeting Mosley or being photographed with him on the sport's most prestigious stage. The same concerns are afflicting senior corporate executives representing companies sponsoring Formula One teams, many of whom use the Monaco Grand Prix weekend for corporate entertaining.

One principal told The Times that his team will keep an eye on Mosley so they can avoid him and have even considered an informal scouting system around the Monte Carlo paddock to warn them of his presence. Another team source said almost all the teams were making preparations to avoid Mosley. The source, who added that “furtive conversations” on this issue between teams had taken place at Istanbul Park last weekend, said: “The safe majority of teams are considering what they should do about their important people in terms of interaction with the president of the FIA at Monaco.”

The clear majority of team managers are angry that Mosley has refused to resign for the good of the sport and is continuing to harm Formula One's image by fighting on. There are unsubstantiated rumours that the Monaco Royal Family are concerned about Mosley dominating coverage of Formula One's most glittering setting. Mosley was told by the Bahrain Royal household not to go to their race last month and he did not attend the Spanish Grand Prix for fear that he might embarrass King Juan Carlos.

The Times can reveal that, in Turkey, protocol officials from the office of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish Prime Minister, contacted Bernie Ecclestone's staff to make sure that Mosley was not going to appear without warning in the paddock when Erdogan made his formal visit on Sunday morning.

Richard Woods, Mosley's spindoctor, indicated at the weekend that the FIA president was planning to appear in Monte Carlo, where he has a home, regardless of the difficulties this may cause.

Comments

[Aaron James]

Yawn, more tripe about Mosley?

Frankly who really cares about the guy? I don't. He certainly wont affect the racing, the only thing he seems to effect is News Corp journalists who seem compelled to write on his bowel movements which run twice a day and therefore further evidence of how that means he must resign.

It's very tiresome, the majority of fans don't even know who he is, much less care who he is.

And yet this blog continues to be polluted by frankly inane comment on him.

Oh well, it's better than the rather nauseating moral sanctiomony of some of the previous blogs on this matter.

[Derek Smith]

He has to put in some sort of appearance at a grand prix before the vote of the FIA just to retain some form of credibility. The fact he's a resident of the principality gives him more leverage - one assumes he can't be barred from the town - but even so, he must get to the pre race party at least and be on an important table. I would assume he would not even dream about meeting royalty.

As for him not affecting racing, Mr James, he's the dictator, the supremo of GP. What he says goes. There is no check on him. He is the sole arbiter. From what I understand the FIA meeting cannot even vote him out but merely vote on a proposition put forward by him. Even if he gets a majority against him, there is no guarantee that he will go.

So I really care and so do a lot of other enthusiasts.

[A Parker]

This is just a total joke. Scouts positioned around the paddock. This Mosley creature should just disappear. I find it incomprehensible that he puts his ego and delusional mania before the good of the organisation he represents. I just hope Lewis doesn't shake his hand - I don't want him to have anything to do with him, as I'm sure Lewis doesn't either.

[Gary M]

@ Aaron.

You have taken the time to not only read a post that from the title was clearly about Max Mosley but also took the time to write a comment.

But yet you complain about a post about Max Mosley by saying you do not care! If you don't really care then why read it and why comment on it?

I noticed that you did not comment on any of the posts previous that were nothing to do with Mosley and about F1.

Very odd.

[Dean Rodrigues]

With all due respect Aaron, this blog is meant to give readers an insight into what is being talked about in F1 circles. While I totally agree in questioning "who really cares about the guy" - fans certainly don't - I think you are misguided in suggesting that "the majority of fans don't even know who he is, much less care who he is". You only have to glance back at the number of comments registered on posts of this topic to realise that fans - the people who bother to comment on this blog, for instance, do care, and want this idiot out.

What is more, and going back to the blog being about "providing an insight into what is being talked about in F1 circles", I have no reason to doubt that this story is exactly what is being talked about now. Monaco is the biggest showpiece on the F1 calendar, and the last thing any team wants is for their sponsors to be compromised by indirect association with a nutcase.

If you're not interested in this topic, don't bother reading it. But if you want to challenge Ed's discretion on what this blog should be about, don't bother reading anything. It's very easy to just ignore articles you are not interested in - I do it a lot - but accusing people of being part of some News Corp conspiracy is just a waste of megabytes.

[nuzzaci]

I agree with Aaron — yawn.

[Dale]

So spank Mosley is in the headlines again, bet he loves every moment of it.
Expect spanky to head for the Mclaren garage, could you imagine the publicity if he were to come into contact with Ron Dennis?

If this whole spanky scandal was a film no one would believe it, it's all too far fetched and beggars belief.

What a farce the FIA are in letting this saga continue like this can they not see that will never end whilst spanky remains in post, are all those at the FIA idiots?

It will make great TV should spanky go to shake an F1 team principles hand if he in turn refused to shake it (few in F1 today would have the balls to do that), who would be principled enough to do it?

Suggestion, why don't all the teams dress in whate overalls to make Mosley feel at home - hahahaha, just got to laugh it it wasn't all so sad.

[Demian]

TAG! Max's got it!
.
.
.
Now... where's everybody?

[Stelmara]

For those that object to S&M Mosley being a subject in this blog maybe they don’t really follow F1 and should simply amuse themselves elsewhere. How can F1 be discussed without the Mosley preventions being brought up together with peoples thoughts on the matter, he IS the boss of F1.
It really is time that F1 in particular to remove itself from the control of the FIA and the Mosley/Ecclestone duopoly and all the shady going’s on behind closed doors.
A fair playing field for all, a right to both a fair trial and a fair right of appeal, allow freedom of engineering brilliance and flare (don’t forget Mclaren were banned from developing systems the FIA – Mosley – are posing now, kinetic energy recovery systems over 10 years ago) these are all things the current regime simply don’t deliver on.
The governing body of F1 should be both fair and democratic and should turn F1 back into a sport and not just a business.
Will it happen? Well if it doesn’t now what with this Mosley debacle it’ll never happen will it?
I have read all these blogs and in particular have followed the Mosley story and I can’t think of any business or other governing body where this could happen and continue to be allowed to happen by the very same governing body tat’s being harmed by it, it is truly unbelievable.
Expect the vote to go in Mosley’s favour, then maybe just maybe F1 will do something about it and a new body could be formed where it also embraced the American open wheel racers making F1 truly global.

[Alex]

It says enough that the Teams are still scared of him, despite his precarious situation. Moseley is a dictator and a bully, he has stifled F1 for decades with his autocratic leadership and sold the F1 cash till to his mate Bernie for a pittance.

No wonder F1 teams are struggling to find sponsors with this vile man still lingering on and running global motorsport such a laughable kleptocracy. Maybe the Monaco Royal Family will need inspecting for ze lice .... after all, when you lie with Dogs, you catch Fleas.

[17 points in two races]

Is his private life. Have you really asked yoursefl about private life of the Royal families of Bahrain, Spain, Monaco and even Great Britain? Do you think that the prostitutes don´t have any customers all over the world?
This is a perfect example of Anglosahon Hipocresy. ¿Do you really think that in a place like Monaco, famous for the easy and disolute life, anaybody question private life?
Dear Ed are you going to ask to the Rainiero family about their private life? In that case, are you going to travel to Monaco?

[michael g]

I like this, Mosley seems to be in an old man rich mans race with Ron Denis. Neither one wants to bow out first. All seemed perfect for Mosley when Ron kept us all out of the loop and his demise was all but sure. Big D is back and Mosley is now in the hot seat. Under normal circumstances I guess Mosley would step down but no way whilst big D is still prancing the pit wall. All-in-all Mosley is a poor ... stuck with that family history yet able and lucky to have found a place he can proudly call his home - the FIA - he has nothing and no one to go to once out of the game. Let's watch as he tentatively steps into NOTHINGNESS!

[Kathryn S]

I think a little electronic tag on Max is the way to go...

[Felipe]

Boring!!! well written Aaron. I didn't read the article, was only interested in the comments. And as usual, the pack of wolves don't let anyone have an opinion if it differs with theirs, and they are as usual very abusive!!!

[BBARRERO]

I agree with Dean and with Mr. Gorman too.

I think the presence of Max Mosley in anything related to F1 is harmful to this sport.

It is not only that fans don't want him to be heading FIA but also professionals inside this big business are constantly annoyed by the association of this depraved man with the hard work they do everyday.

[David Hodge]

One of the main reasons for this blog being a success when compared against some others is that in the main, the insults do not get too bad. There are some informed Spanish fans who love Fernando of course and similar Brits who love Lewis. They all get on, even though they disagree and the vitriol that appears on some other blogs is left out of it.

So bearing that in mind, I am afraid I too have to disagree with you Mr. James. I think beyond whatever Max has done outside of work, what he has done INSIDE work has also got people interested. I do not propose to rehash the McLaren convicted/Renault not for the same offence debate. Max did many good things for the sport. However, he also ran it like a personal fiefdom and it seemed if you come from the wrong side of the tracks (Essex boy Ron not born with the proverbial silver spoon) then for whatever reasons, Max appeared to indulge in a witch-hunt against McLaren and therefore Ron. All of this happened before Max's personal habits were exposed. At the time, there were reports saying Max's position is untenable due to his appearance of anti-bias towards McLaren. His time was already measured and perhaps he would not have lasted beyond 2009 anyway when he would be up for re-election. As it is now, then I am hoping the council has some cojonnes and the guy is gone very soon.

To comment on Ed's initial paragraphs. I agree in that a part of me would love to watch the TV and see Max wandering around the paddock and most people heading in the direction of away. You know, all the teams have a display which shows where every car is on the track relative to each other. Could this be adapted as a MaxTracker? Anyway, I think if he does appear, it would take away the spectacle from the racing. For sure, Max cannot be banned from his hometown but watch it on the telly Max - you know it is best.

[LJH]

This is the elephant in the corner that everyone justifying Mosley's actions and claiming there was no barrier to him continuing as president has been ignoring.

Just imagine the man having to chair a disciplinary hearing against one or more of the team principals planning to skulk in Monte Carlo's doorways or post flunkeys to report on his whereabouts in the paddock.

Rather hard, I think. And this total loss of respect shows why everybody but Mosley himself realises that he cannot continue as president of the FIA.

[F1-Insider]

For goodness sake when will Mr Mosley do the right thing? As others have commented, the fact that Mosley sends the cry of fear to the F1 teams says everything that should need to be said about Mosley, the FIA and the weakness of those that work in F1.
I can understand Ron Dennis not saying anything what with the witch-hunt of the sp called spygate affair but the likes of Frank Williams is a shock to me. I would imagine Williams F1 sponsors would welcome the team showing the world how principled they are, maybe Lenovo and RBS would increase their presence and support for the team as this would offer them an additional marketing platform (are you listening Frank)?
It is just ridiculous that the F1 teams are fearful of the retribution this pervert can carry out towards them, just ridiculous.
What has Ecclestone done since the perversions of Mosley became public? Isn’t he known as the ringmaster?
As I understand the FIA constitution not even those voting can force him to resign, how on earth have rules like this been allowed to be enshrined at the FIA?
I hope that any F1 fan who catches sight of Mosley at the Monaco Grand Prix openly boos him to show their contempt for this contemptible man.
I noticed during the Turkey Grand Prix that not a word was mentioned about Mosley, it looked to me like instructions had been passed to the TV crews not to mention it, make no mistake the pervert is still wielding power and influence behind the scenes, the sooner he has gone the better for all.
Lastly, I do hope that whatever happens that Ron Dennis stays in F1 longer than Mosley as what happened last year was, in my view, criminal and a real witch-hunt of the likes not seen before, in F1 of any other sport that I am are of.

[Bob M]

Good news and bad news.
Good news, Max turning up at Monaco is (in my opinion) likely to do him more harm than good. I was, and continue to be worried about the "process" when it comes to the FIA vote. It may resemble democracy; it is not. Anyone who is able to get access to it should read Nigel Roebuck's excellent article in this month's Motorsport (not a NewsCorp publication!). It explains the case against Max perfectly.
Bad news: the Monaco Grand Prix will not receive the coverage it deserves. I have just come back from the historic GP there. We watched some of the turkish GP on the big screens. The place is set up for an awesome weekend. Huge anticipation as we emerge from a series of clear Ferrari tracks to a driver's circuit of a different type, where it is all up for grabs. Some say that Felipe's strength is fast corners; does that mean he won't handle Monaco? Last year Fernando put Lewis in the shade. However, Lewis' record at Monaco is pretty remarkable. Time for his 2nd win? Kubica - definfitely going to win this year. Could be now? Heikki, Kimi - both can win too (I was there a few years ago when Jarno dominated the weekend - anything is possible!). And yet, all this excitement will be diluted by the Mosley story, and team's awareness of him as a distraction. Not good. I think Max will be surprised at the antipathy towards him. There is a genuine chance that there will be some very public displays of disapproval.

[F1-Insider]

Have a look at; http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns20353.html which may be of interest.

I believe there are few, if any at all really give a dam about the sport, it's all about self interest.

I urge F1 (including Ferrari) to leave the F1 as one and start over. F1 does not need others as it is (well it's supposed to be) at the very top of the sport.
In my view, whatever anyone else says that should Mosley stay on this scandal will just go on and on and on.

[Demian]

@Kathryn S: Something with a GPS, maybe?
I can picture the situation: "Quick!, Max's getting near, HIDE!"
Sad, in an Ana Frankish way, really...

[Anon]

Since Dennis an Mosley are enemies, if I were Mosley I would go up to Ron n front of a bunch of cameras and give himn a huge, sensual hug.

[Weasel]

I sincerely doubt that Max the Dalit would not materialize out of fear he might embarrass someone - which Ed surmises in this blog, when he mentions King Juan Carlos of Spain.

Max is not discerning and doesn't care who he embarrasses. Making a complete fool of himself in everyone's eyes doesn't seem to worry his mighty intellect and UeberEgo one jot. After all Max the untouchable outranks mere Kings since he is an Emperor - without any clothes.

[LAK]

As 17 Points said, everyone has a private life that shouldn't be revealed in such manner, but the fact remains that what this man did was plain old wrong, racist, and disturbingly grotesque.

Even though his private shouldn't affect his work, Max Mosley simply cannot stay because he has caused so much distraction from the sport. If he stays we will never hear the end of it!

It will be very interesting to see what happens if he seriously goes to Monte Carlo. I can imagine the hide and seek game that will happen in the paddock.

[Derek Smith]

King Juan is evidently a mate of MM's but then kinging lark is a very subtle art. KJ will have advisers and they will be concerned about the harm any association with such a man could cause.

I reckon that the second equerry, or that chap's secretary, might suggest to MM that a meeting in front of cameras might be a bad idea during the GP week.

Didn't some bloke say: 'Put not your faith in kings'? And wasn't that just before he had his head chopped off? And wasn't some sort of sex scandal involved there as well?

[andrew]

People have been avoiding him for years, he only got the job when Bernie took over F1 and installed Mad Max to guard FOM's interests withing the organisation.
How elses did you come do deserve the well documented £300 million present from Bernie that caused him to make Monaco his main address!
I can remember in 2000 when I was involved in motoracing having a discussion with a load of mechanics who were over the moon about a rumour that Max might be stepping down.
When he goes it will be a very happy event for all motorsport, F1 and all the others that he takes no notice of.

[Stelmara]

Ed
Why has not corruption investigation ever taken place about the £300 million that Ecclestone gave him? If it is true surely this needs investigating as no one gives a gift of £300 million with no strings attached no one.
Can you advise us if this is rumour or fact? If it is true then Mosley must have all the secrets of Ecclestone and vice versa so it is no surprise he has not openly called for him to go, is it?

-------------

I read the link given by F1 Insider (http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns20353.html) and if true it looks like there are changes on there way, more shady deals no doubt.
I hope they are not true and that a real free vote takes place where we can all see the result.

[Stelmara]

Bob M
The link to the article Bob refers is http://www.motorsportmagazine.co.uk/ which will be of interest

[Green Flag]

I am still amazed at the number of people - probably not one of whom has a career or a reputation worth a hill of beans and will never achieve a hundredth of Mosley's accomplishments - still criticizing and bad mouthing him. Get over it and improve your own little lives.

[Derek Smith]

To Green Flag.

There are a number of assumptions in your post, such as that none of those who have criticised Max Mosley have a career or reputation and, more startlingly, that Mosley has accomplished much in his life.

He was, of course, arrested a number of times during his short political career, once during a provocative right-wing Union Movement rally in a predominantly Jewish area of London and another on a violent demonstration in support of apartheid.

He cannot be blamed for what his father was nor did, although Max did support and work for the Union Movement, the post-war reincarnation of the British Union of Fascists.

He was made a barrister when the main requirement of the position was a privileged background but gave that up when he bought into March, selling it at a considerable profit some time later. He then met up with Bernie Eccs, took up the FIA position which is unpaid and suddenly became one of the super-rich.

He has, as you pointed out, some reputation. His career has been varied, from working for an ultra right-wing political party through racing team part-owner via failed racing driver and then onto, well, what can we say? Being friends with someone with even more money.

My life may or may not be little. I may have had no real career to speak of and my reputation might need work but that does not bar me from criticising a man whom I believe has harmed the sport I love and is unsuited for his post.

[D Dithmar]

To Green Flag:

There is a number of big movers in the history books who achieved more than most others. Stalin, Hitler, Mussolini and Franco are still reputed for being some of the best "to make the trains run on schedule or creator of the best road systems in the world etc etc" and made a huge difference to the history books. But were they good people? Were they good represetatives for their countries and their time?

Mosleys biggest achievement was getting rid of Balestre. Why he then chose to turn out even worse is a huge puzzle to me. But he probably isn't able to see what time has turned him into.

If you haven't discovered it yet - Mosley runs FIA on one very effective "fuel" called fear. And that fuel tends to ignite sooner or later. In Mosley's case it could very well be now...

[D]

^
For the benefit of all concerned, I do hope Prince Albert will have a word with his Chef de Police and ensure that at all times during race week one of Monaco's finest will be stationed one metre behind Mosley (except when he is having a "Kimi") holding aloft a two metre pole topped with a red flashing light.

When not actually in the Pit Lane, it would also be helpful if he is preceded everywhere in the Principality by a town crier ringing a hand bell and issuing an audible warning of his approach.

This might even get it through the obdurate skulls of the FIA Senate that their beloved president is not universally appreciated - however much they themselves may share Kevin Garside's profound admiration for those who thrash prostitutes and grovel before them on their knees.