Formula One commercial rights-holder Bernie Ecclestone made it clear today that he believes, with certainty, that controversial president Max Mosley will step down from his post as head of the sport's ruling body later this year.
Formula One commercial rights-holder Bernie Ecclestone made it clear today that he believes, with certainty, that controversial president Max Mosley will step down from his post as head of the sport's ruling body later this year.
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In an interview with The Times newspaper, one week on from his inflammatory remarks about Adolf Hitler in the same publication, the veteran F1 ringmaster said he had no doubt that fellow-Briton Mosley would not contest another election.
His comments signalled equally clearly that he is in control of the feud between Mosley, as head of the International Motoring Federation (FIA), and the rebel F1 teams who are members of the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) - and that a settlement is likely in the next few days.
"I have no doubt in my mind - as long as I've known Max, he's always done what he said he would do," Ecclestone was quoted as saying in the newspaper.
"He's an honourable person. I've always said Max can have a cheque signed by me, without any name or amount on it, because he's a trustworthy guy. So I have no doubt that he will honour all the things he's ever said he will do."
Ecclestone said Mosley was hurt by the way FOTA spoke out following their peace deal last month to head off the threat of a breakaway racing series.
He said: "He was a bit upset after agreements had been made (with Luca Di Montezemolo, the president of Ferrari) to be quiet and not throw stones at each other, and then remarks were made which upset him.
"There are probably a couple of people in all the teams who would like to see it (a breakaway) happen. But, no, I don't think it will happen.
"I think people realise that the Formula 1 World Championship has been going for 60 years.
"It is well established. We've got the best circuits in the world and I don't think they've even thought through really how there could be a breakaway.
"And if there is, what would our company (Ecclestone's Formula One Management (FOM) do?"
The FIA said in a statement on Thursday that it expected a 2009 version of the Concorde Agreement, the sport's binding contract between teams and administrators, to be ready for signature this weekend.
Ecclestone arrived at the Nuburgring on Friday for this weekend's German Grand Prix.
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