Max confirms he is going...the quarrel is almost over

 

Ed Gorman

Max Mosley has sent the following letter to all members of the FIA.

Click here to read it in full.

So that's it. Max has confirmed he will not stand again. But the days of his influence are far from over. There are still a few months to go and, when he does stand down, he will, as he puts it, want to play a "modest role" in the Senate.

My first reaction to the letter was relief and I suspect that, all over the Formula One world, there will be sighs of relief at the confirmation that Max is finally moving on. But I was also surprised that he so publicly and unequivocally chose to endorse Todt. Isn't there supposed to be a "free and fair" democratic election coming up to choose a successor? Why no comment about Vatanen? It's seems very odd to me, especially when Max has always made such a big deal of criticising others outside the FIA for expressing views on who should succeed him.

But it does look as though it is going to be Todt, about as unpopular an individual as you could find in the paddock. The phrase "be careful what you wish for" comes to mind. The Frenchman has a reputation for being ruthless, cunning and calculating and there will be widespread scepticism about his suitability for the role among those who are hoping for a new approach from a new FIA president.

To put it mildly Todt has an image problem and he is going to have to work very hard to demonstrate that he can jettison past alliances and methods as he seeks to switch from the "predator's predator" role to that of "game-keeper". I suppose his probable elevation is good for the French. I mean they've got precious little else to shout about in Formula One haven't they?

The letter from Mosley signals the beginning of the end of the current dispute because a Concorde Agreement now looks imminent...