New Setback for Mosley As Ferrari Chief Urges Him to Stand Down
Despite recently winning a vote of confidence, Max Mosley has lost the support of Ferrari boss Luca di Montezemolo
After winning a resounding vote of confidence on Tuesday, Max Mosley lost the support of a man thought to be among his staunchest allies last night when Luca di Montezemolo, the head of Ferrari, called on him to resign the presidency of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). "I think that he should realise that sometimes it is necessary to say to yourself I have to leave for reasons of credibility," Montezemolo told the Ansa news agency.
The Italian team, the current world champions, have long been closely aligned with Mosley and Bernie Ecclestone, the controller of formula one's commercial rights. They significantly failed to join other major teams - including Mercedes-Benz, Honda, Toyota and BMW - who were quick to condemn Mosley's refusal to step down after the revelations of his involvement in a sadomasochistic orgy, published in the News of the World nine weeks ago.
Like Mosley, Montezemolo is a qualified lawyer, but he is a figure of far greater substance. A protege of Enzo Ferrari and of Gianni Agnelli, he was a rally driver before taking over the Ferrari team in time to guide Niki Lauda to the first of the Austrian driver's world championships in 1975. He then headed the Cinzano drinks company, became general manager of Juventus, managed Italy's challenge in the 1982 America's Cup, ran the 1990 World Cup organizing committee and returned to Ferrari in 1991, masterminding the revival that resulted in Michael Schumacher's five world titles. In 2004 he became president of Italy's industrial confederation, and a year later he was made chairman of the entire Fiat empire.
Mosley, 68, received a strong endorsement on Tuesday, gaining 103 votes to 55 against at an extraordinary meeting of the FIA general assembly in Paris.
The chorus of those calling for him to step down has been led by two British former champions, Sir Jackie Stewart and Damon Hill, and includes some of the world's biggest motoring organizations, including the American Automobile Association and Germany's ADAC. Montezemolo's words may be the most damaging so far to Mosley's chances of survival, given the previous reluctance of the sport's most powerful team to add their voice to the debate.
The Italian team, the current world champions, have long been closely aligned with Mosley and Bernie Ecclestone, the controller of formula one's commercial rights. They significantly failed to join other major teams - including Mercedes-Benz, Honda, Toyota and BMW - who were quick to condemn Mosley's refusal to step down after the revelations of his involvement in a sadomasochistic orgy, published in the News of the World nine weeks ago.
Like Mosley, Montezemolo is a qualified lawyer, but he is a figure of far greater substance. A protege of Enzo Ferrari and of Gianni Agnelli, he was a rally driver before taking over the Ferrari team in time to guide Niki Lauda to the first of the Austrian driver's world championships in 1975. He then headed the Cinzano drinks company, became general manager of Juventus, managed Italy's challenge in the 1982 America's Cup, ran the 1990 World Cup organizing committee and returned to Ferrari in 1991, masterminding the revival that resulted in Michael Schumacher's five world titles. In 2004 he became president of Italy's industrial confederation, and a year later he was made chairman of the entire Fiat empire.
Mosley, 68, received a strong endorsement on Tuesday, gaining 103 votes to 55 against at an extraordinary meeting of the FIA general assembly in Paris.
The chorus of those calling for him to step down has been led by two British former champions, Sir Jackie Stewart and Damon Hill, and includes some of the world's biggest motoring organizations, including the American Automobile Association and Germany's ADAC. Montezemolo's words may be the most damaging so far to Mosley's chances of survival, given the previous reluctance of the sport's most powerful team to add their voice to the debate.
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