The weight of words, the clash of egos

24 June
Global Council. While we expected to see Max Mosley leave the meeting room either reinforced by the majority of the members of this assembly, or weakened by the prospect of a defiant General Assembly at the request of an influential member of the CM, a dramatic turn of events occurs. Luca di Montezemolo comes out with a smile on his face and a thumbs up. “Based on his statements, I believe that Max Mosley left no doubt as to his intentions. He will step aside. » Confirmation arrives a few minutes later from the person concerned: “I decided it last year and, at the beginning of 2009, communicated it to those around me. But I didn't want that to be known, I would have come out weakened and the war of succession would have broken out. I am now 70 years old, I have just come out of two difficult summers with the espionage affair and this personal affair raised by a newspaper. And now, the economic crisis. I have also just experienced a difficult personal episode with the death of my son. I have not changed my mind, since I had said that if the teams had not stopped their attacks, I would have stood for re-election in the next elections. They said stop, we reached an agreement for a solid reduction in the cost of F1, the return to a grid of 26 cars? There is therefore no longer any reason to show up again. I will keep my position until October and the FIA ​​will choose my successor. I only went to 2 or 3 Grands Prix per season, my total absence will not change anything. For disciplinary cases, there are the commissioners and for the rest the Senate? »

The Italian press exults: ?For his first World Council as representative of Ferrari, Luca di Montezemolo wins all the way??. Goodbye to the imposed blocked budget, the double technical regulations and the instability of a technical-sporting governance that is far too political in the eyes of some! Recognition of Fota as an institutional interlocutor and collegiality of decisions. ?Mosley is putting himself on the sidelines of business and, while awaiting the election of a successor, it will be up to the Senate, chaired by Michel Boeri, and to the updated F1 Commission, to manage current affairs. The 2010 championship will be contested with the amended 2009 rules, according to the wishes of Fota and no longer the whims of Mosley. Even Ecclestone can breathe. No more Fota championship, his gold mine is saved, even if he knows he is condemned to some sacrifices.

With no teams for 2010, it is clear that Mosley just had to raise the white flag. A two-hour pre-meeting, held the day before this Council, between him, Ecclestone and Montezemolo had decided so. The CM just had to make it official. Was there another choice?

The split from Fota would have deprived the FIA ​​of a dozen million euros in revenue, two thirds of its budget! Obligatory implosion?

Find this entire article in your AUTOhebdo magazine N°1707