Ecclestone Asks F1 To Endorse Mosley Quit Call

Bernie Ecclestone has increased the pressure on scandal-hit world motorsport president Max Mosley after it emerged that the F1 supremo invited the sport’s team principals to sign a letter calling for Mosley to resign.

Ecclestone asked F1 team principals to sign the letter saying that he would add his name if they all signed it. Seven teams agreed, but three did not – Ferrari, Toro Rosso and Williams.

FIA president Mosley was accused by a newspaper of taking part in a ‘Nazi-style orgy’ but denies his deeds had Nazi connotations and has refused to stand down.

The teams are concerned by the effect Mosley’s continued presence as president of governing body the FIA is having on the sport.

While the F1 teams have no direct influence on Mosley’s position, Ecclestone is a long-time associate of Mosley, and hugely influential in his role as an FIA vice-president.

The move represents an about turn from Ecclestone who has publically defended Mosley’s action as ‘no-one else’s business’.

Media speculation states that Ecclestone told the team bosses that former Ferrari sporting director Jean Todt was ‘locked on’ to replace Mosley, it was just a question of how quickly they wanted him in.

A number of the FIA’s member automotive clubs have called on Mosley to go, and four of the car manufacturers in F1 have demanded a response from the organisation.

Mosley has called an extraordinary meeting of FIA members for 3rd June, where he will face a vote of confidence.

Mosley did not attend the Spanish Grand Prix this weekend despite it marking the launch of the FIA’s anti-racism campaign.

Instead, he chose to attend the inaugural Jordan round of the world rally championship, where the Jordanian royal family made it clear it would not be meeting him.