D-Day for Mosley

Motorsport’s governing body will today vote on whether to retain Max Mosley as their president, 64 days after allegations first surfaced about his private life.

Mosley has not denied claims he participated in an orgy involving five prostitutes, but has insisted what he did was “harmless and completely legal”.

Mosley has, however, strongly refuted the Nazi connotation implied in the News of the World story.

The 68-year-old has claimed the story was an invasion of his privacy and has launched a legal case against the Sunday tabloid in pursuit of clearing his name and claiming unlimited damages which, should he win, will be donated to charity.

Before then, Mosley faces a vote of confidence today into whether he is fit to continue in a role he has held for 15 years – and one he is determined to see through to the end of his current mandate of October next year.

An extraordinary hearing of the FIA’s general assembly will sit in judgement on Mosley – and it is suggested the vote is too close to call.

Up until a week ago Mosley supporters, and those close to him, were confident their man would win the secret ballot – to be held in the building adjacent to the headquarters of motorsport’s governing body on the Place de la Concorde in Paris.

However, intervening period, a groundswell of negativity has cast doubt.

Last Wednesday, a heavyweight contingent of motoring associations wrote a letter to Mosley imploring him to resign – claiming the FIA is “in a critical situation. Its image, reputation and credibility are being severely eroded”.

Less than 72 hours later, Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone for the first time publicly voiced his private thoughts, and called for Mosley to quit.

“The big problem is he can no longer represent the FIA worldwide because of these incidents,” he said.

“The general feeling is that people would no longer be comfortable speaking to him in the same way. I have spoken to Max about this and advised him to stand down in November, and not to go to the vote.”

However, Mosley has defiantly repeated his right to privacy – to such a degree Lord Stevens has conducted an investigation into whether there was a conspiracy against him, and if so, by whom.

Leading QC Anthony Scrivener, a member of the FIA Court of Appeal, was also tasked with discovering whether the News of the World’s ’Nazi’ claim had any basis of truth.

Mosley is due to reveal details of both inquiries when he addresses the members of the general assembly, who will have flown from all over the world to listen, and then deliver their verdict.

Mosley has tried to conduct business as usual but has been snubbed by royalty in Bahrain, Spain and Monaco.

Manufacturing giants BMW, Mercedes, Honda and Toyota have all voiced their concerns; many motoring clubs have had their say.

Ecclestone added: “He should stand down out of responsibility for the institution he represents, including F1.

“Everyone I speak to in a position of authority across F1 rings me to say he should leave. It is regretful he has not made that decision.”