Mosley dismisses bias suggestions

Max Mosley has offered Lewis Hamilton his personal backing in this year’s Formula One world title race.

FIA president Mosley, though, is quick to point out that following ’Spa-gate’ this week, his governing body will not “help or hinder” the McLaren star in any way.

Mosley was speaking to PA Sport on his return to the F1 paddock for the first time since he was professionally and personally cleared in the wake of a Sunday newspaper expose into his private life.

The 68-year-old initially won a vote of confidence that allowed him to remain in office following an extraordinary hearing of the FIA’s general assembly in early June.

Mosley then emerged victorious from a High Court battle against the News of the World at the end of July, receiving a record £60,000 (€75,906) in compensation as he successfully sued for breach of privacy.

Two months on, and Mosley is back at the end of a week when his governing body has faced accusations of bias towards Ferrari.

Stewards at the Belgian Grand Prix gave Hamilton a retrospective 25-second drive-through penalty that demoted him from race winner to third for cutting a corner and gaining an advantage, sparking outrage.

Mosley, who was in Peru at the time of the race, has slammed the conspiracy theorists.

“The only thing I can say is that any suggestion there is a bias for or against any team or driver is completely untrue. Absolutely not,” insisted Mosley.

“I think it’s a reflection, and I’m sorry to say this, of the stupidity of the people who say it.

“That’s because they haven’t really thought the thing through and put themselves in the position of the people who have to take these very difficult decisions.

“The whole thing is unfortunate, but the question is did he, or did he not, gain an illegitimate advantage.

“That is something the stewards have to answer, and then eventually the court of appeal perhaps. We shall see.”

But there is no doubt as to how Mosley feels about Hamilton as a racing driver, adding: “I think he is brilliant.

“It would be really excellent for F1, and the world championship, if he won it - but that doesn’t mean we are going to help him or hinder him. We are going to be utterly neutral.

“That said, it would be brilliant if he won because he is a supreme talent, and when it’s difficult, that’s when we see it.

“He has done a great job, but whilst we can admire, we mustn’t assist or hinder.”

Asked as to whether he felt Hamilton would win it, Mosley replied: “I think he is odds on. He has to be favourite, without question.”