Dominoes

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Ron Dennis and Max Mosley have never been the best of friends. Mosley once said of Dennis:

Ron has no role in the FIA Formula 1 World Championship apart from that granted him, in common with other teams, by the Concorde Agreement. Unfortunately he find all this rather difficult to understand.

Several years later, and having only recently deflected suggestions he himself was about to resign, I suspect Dennis is quietly enjoying the significant but indirect role McLaren has played in bringing the Mosley presidency to the brink of its demise.

The first domino

In 2005 the CEO of Renault and Nissan, Carlos Ghosn, was taking his time over whether to commit his team to a long-term future in Formula 1.

This made his star driver Fernando Alonso uneasy. Even as he raced his R25 to victory in the championship he was privately becoming concerned that the team he had been with for four years wouldn’t be around very much longer.

And so when he finished third in the Brazilian Grand Prix behind the two McLarens, and by doing so claiming the drivers’ championship, he mentioned in passing to Dennis that he should like to drive for the team one day.

This suited Dennis perfectly. Late in 2005 he must have already been wondering about the long-term future of his new signing for the team, Juan Pablo Montoya, who had missed several races early in the year due to a non-racing injury.

And he must also have suspected that Ferrari were making overtures to his other driver Kimi Raikkonen, about joining their team. And now the new champion was offering to drive for him. He probably couldn’t have got his pen out quickly enough, and two months later the deal was announced.

The first domino had fallen in a chain of events leading to the crisis that now engulfs the president of the FIA.

It all goes wrong for McLaren

To Dennis, having Alonso join the team in 2007 was perfect. He could pair the multiple race-winning champion with the rookie Lewis Hamilton. Dennis’s protege had romped to the Formula Three Euroseries title in 2005 and claimed the GP2 championship the following year.

But as we all know, it didn’t quite work out that way. Not only did Hamilton and Alonso fall out in spectacular fashion, but McLaren found themselves facing an investigation into whether they had used information gleaned illegally for Ferrari.

Mosley pursued the case with his trademark vigour – but to some his effort to prosecute McLaren looked less like justice and more like the execution of a personal grudge.

Martin Brundle, a McLaren driver in 1994, described the investigation as a “witch hunt” in a column for the Sunday Times. A fuming Mosley asked the FIA to begin a legal action against the newspaper, which they agreed to in December last year.

The Mosley scandal

Last week, Mosley found himself explaining to a shocked world why the News of the World had published a story alleging that he had participated in a Nazi-themed bondage session with a number of prostitutes.

Many have drawn a connection between the FIA’s lawsuit agains the Sunday Times, and the News of the World expose, as both are owned by media mogul Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation.

The F1 world is now waiting to see if Mosley jumps from his position as president before he is (surely inevitably) pushed by the FIA Senate.

Meanwhile I suspect Dennis is not too distressed that one of the dominos that fell when his team were fined $100m by Mosley last year may now topple the president.

Author information

Keith Collantine
Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring...

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51 comments on “Dominoes”

  1. 100 mil to get rid of Mosley rather seems like a bargain now….

    (said by someone who isn’t actually paying the 100 mil)

  2. 1. Mosley was enjoying some private S&M entertainment – perfectly legal, if not acceptable to those of prudish persuasion, which had nothing whatsoever to do with the FIA or anyone else (other than, possibly, Mrs. Mosley).
    2. There was nothing Nazi about it – no swastikas, no Hitler salutes, no Lugers. The NOTW labeled it "Nazi" and the idiots of the world, particularly the Mosley-haters, lapped it up.  Max hurt nobody; certainly he didn’t lie, cheat or steal any Ferrari information as others did, and which caused much harm to F1.
    3. It would be some form of poetic justice for Max to hold on his job longer than Ron Dennis does his.

  3. Can’t subscribe to Phil’s conspiracy theory but agree Mosley has a vendetta against McLaren. Don’t forget that they (McLaren) had to withdraw development in key areas for 2008 although it was never proven that the ideas were nicked from Ferrari. History will show this as the FIA tampering in the result of the 2008 championship – it is no coincidence that Ferrari and BMW currently appear stronger than the British team. The FIA would only do this because the President directed it.

  4. Green Flag, if you can’t correlate Max lurking around conducting his own little S&M circus as improper behavior for the leading moral adjudicator for the planet’s motor sports organizations than there’s no point in belaboring it.

    If he was tactless enough to incite anyone to seek revenge due to his high handed arrogant conductance of his office, than he is unfit to be FIA president.

    Whatever he did in private is now public. He needs to resign and go chase the publications that have allegedly violated his rights to privacy. Let us get on with motor racing and let him try and salvage his reputation on his own time and and on his own dime.

    What would Max’s position have been if it was Ron who were caught in the same situation??? We all know the answer to that one, don’t we.

  5. Compare the reactions of Mosley and Dennis while their other is under pressure. 

    Mosley was quite happy to stick the boot in and make it even worse for Dennis whereas Dennis seems to be taking no (obvious) pleasure in Mosley’s pain and refuses to make any comment.

    Dennis is classy individual with morals and ethics. Mosley is an insecure bully that frankly is getting all that he deserves.

    Harsh, but that’s the way I feel.  Mosley can end it all now by walking away but he’s too far removed from reality.

  6. GeorgeK, don’t write about matters you don’t understand.  Mosely is not the "leading moral adjudicator" of anything. The FIA, and its president, make and enforce rules for motor racing, that’s all. Morality, ethics, social behavior are not and should not be the purview of the FIA.  And Ronzo was caught doing things morally dubious, and he eventually admitted it; he lied, he cheated and he stole. Max indulged in kinky sex. Hardly in the same league.

  7. I think that PAUL STODDART really understand this matter: “As most people who follow Formula One regularly will know, there is a frequently disregarded, but nonetheless, very important official document called the Concorde Agreement. It specifies, in detail, terms for the governance of virtually all aspects of the World Championship, and from it flows the regulatory authority of the International Sporting Code and Technical Regulations. Within Chapter XI of The International Sporting Code, there is a famous Article, 151 c), which deals with a very serious charge that is generally referred to as "Bringing the sport into disrepute" – specifically, this covers "Any fraudulent conduct or any act prejudicial to the interests of any competition or to the interests of motor sport generally." This is, of course, the same Article used by FIA President, Max Mosley, so arrogantly to impose the infamous $100 million fine on McLaren last season. Now I would contend that no clearer case of "bringing the sport into disrepute" could exist than that arising from Mosley’s recent perverted antics, which were so graphically publicised last weekend by the News of the World. As he is a signatory to the Concorde Agreement, presumably he is bound by the same rules and liable to the same sanctions he has applied so forcefully against McLaren and other teams." (in Pitpass)

  8. I’m with Green Flag on this one. I second both his comments. Juost wish to add that though everyone seems to agree that it is something against McLaren, I’d say it’s more a matter of something in favour of Ferrari. Hamilton almost balanced it out, but season in, season out, I always see Ferrari getting away with sneaky stuff, making others get punished, etc. They really get on my nerves. At least since the Schumacher era.

  9. Its pretty obvious now that Max was secretly fantasizing about lashing out at Ron. Unfortunately Ron would not go to the dungeon with him so he was forced to lash out with his tongue and imposing a stupendous fine on Mclaren.  As a matter of fact, many individuals are now reading between the lines, Mclaren’s appointment of the first black driver, and Max’s unbelievable desire to punish the team.

    Max had become a rabid dog, his actions prior to these recent allegations, were already causing the FIA a lot of embarrassment. He was also causing the teams to spend more money with his constant regulation changes, making it difficult for smaller teams to keep up and even make bigger teams waste money unecessarily. It seems his need to inflict pain on others may have been responsible for some of the actions he took.

    He can still watch F1 from the stand.

  10. Parp, I agree entirely with your anlysis. As for Green Flag’s stance, I believe that someone in a position such as president of the FIA- who represents the interests of fans and teams worldwide- has an obligation to act in a morally responsible fashion. Don’t forget about the tremendous amount of German involvement in F1, in terms of drivers as well as team ownership and bases- everyone in that catagory could be offended by such behavior by the FIA boss.

    Was Dennis himself stealing documents or plans from Ferrari or any other team? Did he use any of the illegal info in the design of this season’s car? I don’t think so.

    Like it or not, but Max can’t shine Ron’s shoes in terms of morals.

  11. Green Flag says: "And Ronzo was caught doing things morally dubious, and he eventually admitted it; he lied, he cheated and he stole."

    What?!  Actually there is no proof that he did any of those things.  People who worked for him, possibly, but that is a big difference. 

    It’s a good job Dennis isn’t Mosley or you should be concerned about the libel laws Green Flag.

  12. Well said Becken – disrepute – paying money to people who are conducting – even in private – illegal – in britian there are no legal prostitutes or brothels – like in many other areas of the world – you can be arrested for the offence of kerbcrawling and many prostitutes are given jail sentences for soliciting.
    There are also the health dangers as having no legal prostitution there is widespread danger from disease ie – aids and hepatitis b – there is also the loss of trust with youre partner – they may get infected by their partner.
    All in all an unsavouy episode for someone who goes in public and say that others – the namecallers in spain are undesirables – and that they are stupid/ignorant – max doesnt know how stupid and irresponsible he has been – and probably he never will understand that it’s not in his makeup

  13. Firstly, Gman, Mosley was acting in a responsible fashion. Whatever he did, he did it privately, in secret. Others, those that covertly filmed him, are the morally irresponsible ones.  Secondly, what has German involvement got to do with anything; the NOTW put the NAZI spin on things, not Mosley. (If Max did use a German accent, maybe he was doing a Norbert Haug impersonation?)  Third, of course Dennis knew about the theft of Ferrari’s data. Absolutely nothing happens at McLaren without Ron’s knowledge or permission. Doubtless he saw and authorized the use of Maranello’s ideas and designs.  The only reason McLaren didn’t use Ferrari stuff in the 2008 car is that they were prevented from doing so by the FIA.

  14. Phil B – My final word on this matter: Any and all wrongdoing at McLaren is the responsibility of the CEO, whether he knew of it or not.  But as I wrote earlier, nothing happens at McLaren without Ron Dennis’s knowledge or permission. He demands and has total control of all that happens at Woking.

  15. Just to add Max and his wife have been living in different countries for quite a few years (his wife lives in France, Max in England formerly and now in Monaco).

  16. Green Flag, unless someone shows me unquestioned evidence that Ron approved the wrongful events that occured involving the thieft of Ferrari data, I don’t buy his involvement. Ron is the key figure at McLaren, but that dosen;t mean he has his finger on every little thing that flies from every laptop at Woking.

    As for the German links, anyone with even the most basic education in history would link Max’s role-playing to a concentration camp when viewing the video, and that can seriously offend many people- German, Jewish or otherwise. We are all entitled to our own opinions, and I respct those who disagree with me, but I believe Max was way out of line on this one.

  17. Green Flag, I just wondered how long you have worked for Ron/McLaren, or how long you have known him personally?  Quite possibly not as long as me, so try to phrase your "beliefs" as such rather than claiming them as fact.

    Becken, you make an interesting point, although I doubt much will happen to Max and suspect he will try desperately to cling on to his position.  This will be in spite of the likelihood of more embarrassing "we don’t want you here" calls from circuits.

    As for the other comments regarding no moral/social obligation for the President of the FIA.  Can I suggest researching Corporate Social Responsibility in particular aspects that refer to those who head up global organisations.  It should not be forgotten that whilst certain countries have no issue with Max’s behaviour, the FIA also includes far more conservative countries who do have an issue with it.

  18. Sorry to continue the debate Green Flag, but it was Max who elevated himself as the moral Grand Poobah of the FIA. He as much said so in his "witch hunt" defense of his zealous pursuit of McLaren. It didn’t matter to Max what the facts were, he was going to administer a spanking to Ron and McLaren no matter what. The punishment did not fit the crime

    Should the FIA president have a sound moral background, and a character that can be trusted? Or should we find any old sod on the street, as long as he keeps it private? The two faced S.O.B. is indefensible and should have the common sense to slink off into the night, for his own good if not the sport’s.

    Sorry for the rant, I’m feeling much better now!!!

  19. Guys, suggest you look at Grandprix.com

  20. GeorgK – OK, my final, final word: The McLaren issue wasn’t just about morality – it was about McLaren trying to win the F1 championship by cheating. Yes, of course there is a moral component, but it’s much more than that. It’s about protecting the other ten teams from a team trying to gain an unfair advantage. I believe their punishment was correct, even lenient. McLaren ought to have been suspended for a few years, as an example to other would-be cheaters. Max Mosley didn’t want McLaren thrown out, and wisely imposed an affordable, if painful, monetary penalty.  Now that Max has problems, Mosley-haters and McLaren supporters (basically the same folks) are falling about with glee and calling for his removal. The difference is, Max made a mistake one night, McLaren systematically went about plundering another team’s intellectual property.

  21. Green Flag, you seem be a lone voice on Mosley’s side. Unfortunately for him, his position is indefensible, and so yours seems to be as well:

    1. What Max did may not have been illegal, but it is by most societal standards immoral (not prostitution, but beating women dressed as concentration camp inmates). By fining McLaren for bringing the sport into disrepute, Max claimed the moral high ground. He has certainly tumbled from that great height. Hypocrisy in it’s purest form. Can no longer lead because he no longer has anyone’s respect.

    2. The prostitutes were told to expect a "Nazi theme" and he was examined for lice. What isn’t WWII German about that? Wrong again.

    3. Here you show your bias against Ron Dennis. I have never shied away from expressing my bias against Mosley, but that is because his behavior is not unlike his father’s: fascistic. Ron is a man of integrity, he walks his talk, and if he said he didn’t know the extent of the Ferrari leak, then that is so. Ferrari, of course, are historically the worst offenders of this type of behavior, and Max has always favoured them. More hypocrisy.

    McLaren didn’t try to win the championship by cheating. A quick refresher for you: a disgruntled Ferrari employee gave some information to a McLaren employee that was also thinking of leaving. Evidence shows that some people int he team knew about the data. Proof that Dennis didn’t know the extent of it was that he contacted Max when Alonso tried to blackmail him, telling him he didn’t believe it to be true.

    And if you believe that McLaren’s punishment was lenient,  here’s a little perspective: Network Rail in Britain was fined 4 million pounds for an accident that killed 31 and injured 400. How does your $100 million leniency look now?

    Max couldn’t have thrown them out, so he did as much vindictive damage as he could. Ron, with much bigger shoulders, kept his lip buttoned and got on with the job of racing. Max haters andMcLaren supporters are not the same folks, but I will admit, my opinion of Ron Dennis and how he handled last year has gone up as high as my opinion of Max has gone down. I didn’t think my view of him could actually get lower. He is dying by the sword in the forum he chose to fight in. Good riddance. Don’t let the door hit you in the arse on the way out, Max.

  22. Posted by Green Flag "Mosely is not the "leading moral adjudicator" of anything. The FIA, and its president, make and enforce rules for motor racing, that’s all. Morality, ethics, social behavior are not and should not be the purview of the FIA."

    How do you explain the Racing Against Racsim campaign then? Mad Max self-appointed himself to spearhead that, so then how can he claim to hold the high moral ground over anyone else?

    Of course he is delusional, but any rational person will see he cannot, and should not even attempt to.

  23. Thank you, Arnet. You make my case perfectly. Deep thinker. McLaren good, Mosely bad, Ferrari evil.  And a whole lot of  nonsense to back it up.  You believe what you believe and nothing can sway you. You’ll get your way, of course, the wild-eyed mob always does, and reason is flung aside; Mosely will be forced to leave. 

  24. Reason and logic and-god forbid-deep thinking seems to me to be the approach that the community in general is taking.  If the points that I used in my response, which are actually generally accepted truths, appear to you to be nonsense,  I applaud your standing by your position, however tenuous it may be.  You may find, when the smoke has cleared, and history is written, that Max Mosley did more for road safety than he did for the fans of F1 and he was already becoming an extremely unpopular person in F1 circles. This latest is just a reveal of who the man is and why he talks and acts the way he does. He is a dishonest person and a man in his position needs to be seen to have integrity. Not being in Bernie’s pocket would help too…….

    You clearly feel that the criticism of him is unjust, but you are certainly amongst a minority against the "wild-eyed mob." To your last point: Mosley should have left immediately. He is harming the sport and his "being forced to leave" will cost between 1 and 2 million pounds to transport and accommodate those with a vote from around the world, money that will be wasted and could be better spent in other areas. So far, the only person who seems to be on your team is Bernie. Well that should tell you something.

  25. Arnet – I agree, Max should have retired a long time ago. But he shouldn’t have to go just because he was found in some tart’s boudoir or doing something kinky; half of F1 would likely have to leave the sport if that’s the standard. And if you have an open mind, then you have agree that he did a very good job of running the FIA and F1 in particular. Here’s why: F1 has never in its history been more popular, with more money, sponsors, races, TV viewerships; safety has never been better – not a fatality in 14 years – yet lap times are faster.  All the BS about no overtaking is just that, BS. In the great Jim Clark years Jimmy used lead most races from pole to flag, that was regarded as wonderful, today it’s boring. You can’t blame Max for that. Under Max’s watch F1 has flourished, become stronger. I’m not saying no-one else could not have done better, but he did bloody well. So he recently screwed up in his personal life. So what? You’re perfect?  Trouble with mobs is that everyone’s too darn scared to say something different in case they get attacked, so everyone gets in line and tries to throw a bigger stone.

  26. Someone ought to BLACK flag the GREEN flag. That poor boy is as out of touch as MadMax.  And we all ought to read Paul Stoddart’s artcle on http://www.pitpass.com  I raise a pint for Stoddy.

  27. Green Flag, although i’m new to the sport, I can understand that Max has played a part in many key developments that have improved things such as driver safety and speed/lap timing. Anyone who has been in his position for that lenght of time should have accomplished something, and although I can’t say exactly what he did and did not influence in a positive way, I salute the good work he has done for the sport.

    The problem many of us have is that his behavior has exposed attitudes and desires in him that are reflective of discriminatory/offensive mindsets that Max apparently posesses. I understand that many people involved in the sport have found pleasure in kinky/risque acts. But in this case, the fantasies Max was acting out were simulating acts involved with the murdurs of millions of innocent people who were slaughtered for their ethnic ties and religious beliefs. And many people believe that the leader of something such as the FIA- which represents the interests of people worldwide- should not posess such attitudes and beliefs.

    While I can’t speak for the others on here, I respect your opinion and have not meant to argue over anything. I think most of us just don’t want to see attitudes such as this on display by the most powerful man in the world of motorsports. When a situation such as this comes up, I feel that is in the best interests of both Max and the world of motorsports if he steps down. He’s only going to keep losing credability, and the longer it drags out the more it will detract from the racing that we all love to see.

  28. Green Flag, no, I’m not perfect. In fact I’m also a bit kinky, but I don’t present myself as the model of virtue, which, in his "witch hunt" of McLaren, Max has done. I cannot argue that Max has done much for safety, but in terms of advancing the sport, he has done more to hinder it than to improve competition. In terms of more money and markets, that’s Ecclestone’s purview. Bernie put Max where he is in order to execute his designs on profit and control. Max is Bernie’s tool. He is a man who, much like the current President of the US, seems to wish to re-invent his father’s record. In the beginning, people buy into the illusion, but after time, we see the illusion for what it is, and expect more from the person who claims to be a champion of values and integrity. In the end, the principal character is exposed for the puppet he is, and the chickens come home to roost.

    As we mature, we know ourselves not so much by what we know what we are, but what we eliminate what we are not. Clearly, Max has not been able to what he is by eliminating what he probably should have seen as something to put into the category of what one is not. Now we see what he has allowed himself to continue to be.  Which is a reprehensible and hypocritical individual. Leadership inspires and guides. This particular individual has relinquished his ability to do either. ‘Nuff said.

  29. It doesn’t matter what Max did, it’s the fact that it’s detracting from the sport and giving it a bad name. He could toture puppies for a hobby but as long as it didn’t reflect badly on the sport then it wouldn’t be a problem.

    The fact is that for most of the population, S&M with German outfits and accents isn’t an acceptable hobby for a public figure to induldge in.  The press are taking an interest in it, we’re all talking about it rather than the sport and it’s detracting from the sport.

    Therefore he must go.

  30. Mosley stated recently that he enjoys reading F1 blogs, maybe he enjoys posting comments too, under the pseudonym Green Flag.

    I’m onto you MadMax!

  31. Ok, back to Max and McLaren. My point is,  there is no connection between Max being spanked and McLaren being punished.
    To Max: Anyone saying that there is no Nazi-theme in there would have had to be there or have seen the ful video. If you haven’t, you have no point to make. The little bits of evidence that have been given out seem to suggest that this might have been the case. The NOTW repeatedly pointing to this makes me feel like they are very sure about it, as otherwise this would look very bad in court which is obviously the place where this all will end.

    To McLaren: Ok, some people say Ron knew it, some say he didn’t, in the end none of us know, it will only be very few people who know this. Whitmarsh knew it and I’m sure he wouldn’t have gone on with it without checking it with Ron.
    I’m sure he knew about it, because that’s the only option unless you say that Ron is a bad manager and doesn’t know what’s going on in his team.
    Wibble, you say that you know Ron and have worked with him, would you say he is a bad manager of his team, oblivious to what is going on?

  32. I find it odd that Ron Dennis has made several speeches lately in the form that an FIA president would make, the timing coincides with MadMax getting caught with his pants down.

    that and standing down as in his team.  Like he’s getting ready for a brutal takeover of the FIA.

    either I’m bang on the money or i’m a fat geek with too much time on my hands and a wild imagination.

  33. "either I’m bang on the money or i’m a fat geek with too much time on my hands and a wild imagination."

    You know, you might be right on both accounts ;-)

  34. I suggest Green Flag tries some relaxation techniques followed by a bit of rational thought.
    Max despite his best efforts did not prove Ron knew anything.  Read the transcripts there is not a single word proving Ron knew anything was going on.  When Alonso tried to blackmail Ron it was Ron who contacted the FIA and told them that his drivers knew about the Ferrari data.  Don’t you think this is odd behaviour for such a cheat.  If you actually bother to read the transcripts you will see that there is very little evidence the drivers knew much at all.  Just enough for Max to twist it.
    There are five cases of teams being in possession of another team’s data in the public domain.  Toyota had two engineers jailed in Germany because they took Ferrari data with them to Toyota.  Max didn’t  investigate at all.  McLaren were fined $100 million with minimal evidence.  Renault were found with 28 copies of the McLaren info on their servers and hundreds of hits on the files. Vastly more evidence than the FIA had against McLaren but were let off.  Colin Kolles walked through the paddock last year showing all and sundry a Toro Rosso drawing which he claims proved the car was a Red Bull.  He presented this drawing to Max as evidence.  Somehow Max forgot to ask him how he had illegally obtained the drawing.
    Nigel Stepney in an open letter to Max published on grandprix.com stated he was getting McLaren info in return for the Ferrari data he was supplying Mike Coughlan.  Max refused point blank to even investigate this.
    So before you start painting Ron Dennis as the bad guy and Max as the well balanced honourable guy I think you should give us reasonable explanations for the FIA’s actions in these five cases.  This is something Max hasn’t bothered to do.

  35. SURPRISE, SURPRISE…. And at The High Court in London: NOTW  1  x  0  Max Mosley

  36. Arnet, you’ve summarized the Max must go now position far more eloquently than I ever could.
    As for Ron running for FIA president:
    http://www.fastmachines.com/f1/new-candidate-opens-pr-campaign-in-bid-for-fia-presidency/

    And yes, I’m another fat geeky racing fan with too much time on my hands as well.

  37. 1. Mosley’s sordid fantasies are his business but he is an utter fool to put himself in a position (pun unintended) to be found out.
    2. The NOTW was out to get him; this exposé was well planned and he was set up.
    3. He’s now an object of ridicule and derision and can no longer do his job as FIA president.
    4. So, why was he set up to be disgraced? Who benefits? Who is revenged for perceived wrongs?
    5. As Mike Lawrence writes in PitPass, follow the money.
    6. Who has lots of money, is well connected and would want revenge on Mosley? It’s not that hard to figure out, is it? And do you really want him in Max’s old job?

  38. Thanks for the JUMP GeorgeK!, jolly good read while eating my nachos and cheese.

    3 cheers for fat geeky racing fans!.

  39. I fail to see how anyone with any semblance of intelligence can think that Max deserves to be sacked because of this. The man has done nothing illegal and in fact the law has been broken by the scum at The News of the World publishing this story, complete with the fiction of Nazism being involved.

    If you want Max to go, let it be because of the engine freeze or the banning of driver aids, but not because of this.

  40. If you try to argue for something by claiming those who don’t agree with you are unintelligent you automatically weaken your position.

    There are many reasons why people might have misgivings about what these developments have revealed about Mosley’s character.

    Even ignoring the Nazi stuff we still are left wondering whether some of the famously harsh verdicts Mosley has doled out as President of the FIA (McLaren’s fine, Toyota’s ban from rallying) were because he thought they were correct, or because he gets a thrill out of punishing people. Faith in his governance has been irrevocably damaged.

  41. Thanks, GeorgeK. 

    Green Flag. Think Rupert Murdoch, not Ron Dennis. Ron wouldn’t stoop to that level, but Murdoch owns the newspaper being sued by Max, as well as the NOTW. 

    You know what they say, don’t get into a wrestling match with a pig; you’ll just get muddy and the pig will enjoy it.

  42. Mosley deserves everything he gets. it happens to everyone everywhere and its a great way of bringing us back down to earth, all be it with a thud, when our heads get to big. it will hopefully teach him to be less arrogant idiots and hypocritical.

    "beware the ides of march"

  43. The guys from Grand prix came to arena finally. They have done the two important points in matter:  “1) The latest indication of the impact of Mosley’s adventures came yesterday with US comedian Jon Stewart mocking the FIA President on the hugely successful Daily Show.Jay Leno, another talk show host, described Mosley as "the head of Formula 1 racing" used the story to complain about the strength of the Euro against the dollar, saying that American politicians can only afford one hooker, while in Europe one can get five for the same price.Let us not forget that is the kind of market penetration that F1 would love to have in America.Sadly, the coverage was not positive.

    2) It is perhaps a tragedy in the true meaning of the word: a drama in which the main character is brought to ruin as a consequence of a tragic flaw or a moral weakness.These are sad and distressing times for the sport. They may also be sad and distressing for Mosley, but facing up to the realities is not something that should not be done at the expense of a sport in which are invested the aspirations and passions of millions across the world.By not resigning Mosley has left himself open to the charge that HE CARES NOTHING FOR THE SPORT.And that is yet another reason why he must resign.”
    (from grand prix)

  44. Someone elsewhere also pointed out Murdoch’s reason for sacking Max may have more to do with ITV losing the broadcast rights than Martin Brundle getting sued.

    In my heart of hearts I hope Murdoch did it for the sheer joy of watching Max suffer, but it’s usually about money or wounded ego.

  45. GeorgeK, I really agreed with you… This is what a have in common with Max, this kind of sadism feeling to see him gradually going in down…

  46. What about the poor hookers? Most people would spend 100 pounds per hour to avoid Mr Mosley. 

  47. Max upset Rupert Murdoch by threatening to sue one of his papers and Rupert like Max believes he is the centre of the universe and responds like a rabid dog to any attack.  Before Max could organise a law suit Murdoch has totally discredited him and made him a laughing stock.

    I keep reading that there is no Nazi element to the video.  We have seen 90 seconds of a five hour video so we have no idea what it shows.

  48. "In my heart of hearts I hope Murdoch did it for the sheer joy of watching Max suffer"

    Oh, I wouldn’t put it past Murdoch that this might be the only reason why he/they did it.

    "I fail to see how anyone with any semblance of intelligence can think that Max deserves to be sacked because of this."

    Rohan, where do you live? The planet of the superspankers where everyone marches around naked offering free sex to the tune of Wagner?

  49. A passing spankophile enjoying the show
    10th April 2008, 14:22

    The planet of the superspankers where everyone marches around naked offering free sex to the tune of Wagner?

    Oh dear.  Looks as if I’m under video surveillance too.

    (Sorry, I couldn’t resist.)

  50. Mohammed ben Sulayem, president of the Automobile and Touring Club of the United Arab Emirates, said he still totally supported Mosley.
    Abu Dhabi is one of the states of the United Arab Emirates.
    Abu Dhabi is due to hold its first F1 GP next year.
    The track in Abu Dhabi is accompanied by a Ferrari World amusement park.
    Abu Dhabi’s government-owned Mubadala Development Company holds a five per cent stake in Ferrari and also sponsors the Scuderia.
    Whilst rivals McLaren are 30 per cent owned by Bahrain’s Mumtalakat Holding Company.
    Am I just being cynical, or does there seem to be some back scratching going on here ?
    Undoubtedly there are going to be many ‘hidden agendas’ involved before the big one on the 3rd June.

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