F1 teams tight-lipped on Mosley sex scandal
BARCELONA, Spain (AFP) — Formula One's team chiefs chose to remain tight-lipped after a meeting called to discuss the sex scandal surrounding FIA president Max Mosley on Saturday.
All of the teams were represented at the meeting held at the Toyota team's motor home where it is understood several leading team chiefs called for a joint statement to be issued on the controversy.
The sport's commercial ringmaster Bernie Ecclestone, who holds the commercial rights to Formula One, was also present.
But after lengthy talks the teams failed to agree on any action.
Mosley, the 68-year-old president of the sport's ruling body, the Federation International de l'Automobile (FIA), has been battling to retain his post after a British Sunday newspaper The News of the World reported he had been involved in a sado-masochistic Nazi-style sex orgy with five prostitutes in London.
The report prompted a widespread round of calls for him to resign, but he has refused to do so and instead has called a general meeting of the FIA to be held in Paris on June 3 when a vote of confidence will decide his future.
This has left most Formula One power brokers livid and frustrated, but powerless to do anything about what they feel is an embarrassing situation - to have their highly-commercialised sport controlled by a man trapped at the centre of a lurid sex scandal.
Sources close to the team chiefs meeting on Saturday said their plans for a statement were wrecked when the Ferrari, Red Bull and Toro Rosso teams said they could not commit themselves without further consultations.
Major manufacturers BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota and Honda all issued statements at Bahrain three weeks ago and there comments were followed by calls for Mosley's resignation from several leading figures in motor racing.
Last weekend Australian Mark Webber of the Red Bull team spoke out against Mosley, criticising his behaviour and calling for him to step down. He said he has been angered by the silence of most other figures in Formula One.
He told the Autosport website (www.autosport.com) that "actually I didn't say too much anyway - if you read the quotes I don't really say a huge amount.
"And I think it is a bit pathetic if Sky (television) wants to do a big interview about the sport I am involved in and I sit there saying no comment. I am trying to represent the sport."
Mosley, who has not denied his involvement in the orgy, has said he did nothing wrong and said he has received significant support. Mosley is taking legal action, seeking unlimited damages, against the newspaper.
It also emerged Saturday that the Super Aguri team's future in Formula One will rest on a deal being reached with investors and Japanese car manufacturer Honda in the next week.
The team's chief Aguri Suzuki said: "There will be some meetings with Honda and it is important we resolve things in the next week."
