Mosley to stay on as FIA president

FIA president Max Mosley has performed a surprise u-turn and decided not to retire later this year.

The Englishman announced in France last month that he planned to step down from his role at the world governing body in October, but the FIA today announced his change of heart.

Mosley’s term of office expires in October 2005 and the FIA’s senate – which consists of eight of the body’s most senior members – have asked him to stay on until then, which he has agreed to.

An FIA statement read: “At a meeting immediately following the FIA extraordinary general assembly on July 1, 2004, the FIA senate unanimously called on Max Mosley to rescind his decision to step down in October 2004 and to continue in office at least until the end of his mandate in October 2005.

“The senate informed Mr Mosley that his early departure would damage the interests of the FIA.

“The FIA senate met in London today and were informed by Max Mosley that he had received approaches from all sections of the FIA making the same points as the senate and even going as far as to say that it would be irresponsible for him to step down this year.

“Accordingly, he feels bound to accede to the senate’s request. He expressed his thanks for the confidence shown in him both by the senate and the full membership of the FIA.”

Mosley claimed he had grown bored with the politics of trying to runs sports such as Formula One and world rallying, admitting he would rather enjoy a more relaxed life after 13 years in the job.

But an obvious successor was hard to find and it would appear doubts of the future leadership of the FIA have prompted his decision to stay on.