FIA president Max Mosley did his first proper sit down interview with the Guardian newspaper this week. On the front page was a rather flattering photograph of the man, next to the quote ‘It’s an absurd activity, therefore you keep it secret’ with the strap line ‘Max Mosley on sadomasochism’.
Max gives a very full and frank interview within the four-page piece, coming across well, considered and unashamed by anything he’s done.
But why am I talking about this here on Sunday Afternoon Club?
Well it’s down to the part where Mosley says he thinks the whole S&M scandal was set up by someone in the motor racing community.
‘I think it’s undoubtedly related to motor racing, it’s just a question of who. I’ve got some shrewd ideas. I’ve got my eye on them, let’s put it like that.’
So who?
The most obvious – and probably too obvious – is Ron Dennis and the McLaren team, as when the Max story originally broke in the News of the World, it was but a few months after the Ferrarigate episode and McLaren’s $100million fine. The sum and punishment being dished out by the FIA, where Max was definitely playing the dominant role in that particular room.
However, Dennis was forced into confronting this very thing earlier in the year, and said:
‘I categorically deny that I have anything to do with the News of the World investigation into Mr Mosley. Neither does anyone connected with the McLaren Group or the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team.’
But there is Sir Jackie Stewart, who criticised the FIA’s handling of the spy sagas, and who subsequently incurred the wrath of Mosley:
‘It’s annoying that some of the sponsors listen to him because he’s won a few championships. But nobody else in formula one does – not the teams, not the drivers. He’s a figure of fun among drivers,’ said Mosley.
And just to hammer the point home, he added: ‘He goes around dressed up as a 1930s music hall man. He’s a certified halfwit.’
That’d get my back up, but vindictive enough to set Mosley up? Probably not.
So finally, to ex-Minardi team boss Paul Stoddart, who was always getting in trouble with Max, and even as recently as this time last year said of him:
‘In recent years, so much damage has been done to the sport, mainly by him [Mosley], that people are going to remember him as the man who almost single-handedly – I say almost, because I hope he doesn’t achieve it – destroyed the sport. Max is a power-junkie. I have no doubt about that.’
Obviously, I’m just having a bit of fun with this, as the whole affair, to me, still seems almost too farcical to believe. But it gives you something to think about doesn’t it?
But if you write any comments about Nazis, prostitutes, or mention any other libelous material, I’ll have to delete your comments.
S&M’s fine though, he’s been doing that for 45 years. The dirty old man.
I think this is the tell-tale line (not quoted above): “The government has got something to answer for, for allowing this Murdoch culture.”
We already know how angry Mosley was at Martin Brundle describing spy-gate as ‘a witch-hunt’ in the Sunday Times because he threatened to sue the Murdoch paper. Now he’s trying to stop Brundle getting a job with the BBC.
I think Mosley suspects the hand of Murdoch behind the revelations.
I think Mosley’s overthinking it. Every famous figurehead of power gets caught with his (or her) trousers down. Bill Clinton for instance. And if the Mirror is ever to be believed, Jeremy Clarkson.
Let’s put it this way – If i took up a liking for S&M, my girlfriend would find out no matter how hard I try to keep it a secret from her.
I think Mosley should just give up. No, not his position, but to just put his hands up and say “yep, i’m a dirty old perv, but who gives a shit? Show me a man over 50 who isn’t!”
Rock on Maxie boy and sod the press.
I’m not so sure it is anyone in F1, but I think he feels he has to vent his anger on someone or something (i.e McLaren). This gives him a public way of showing his power.
But I agree with Ash, he should just let it rest and get on with things and stop trying to ruin F1, leave that to Bernie!
As for the tender out to manufacture standard engines, what a waste of time, that will destroy the sport as all the manufacturers will create a break away championship and leave him on his todd looking like a plonker!
Just put Clarkson in charge of everything. It will all be a-ok!!
I remember Bernie telling AS that his intelligence officer had warned him about a potential set-up towards Max before it all went down. Bernie had called Max up and he just shrugged it off.
You know, I don’t think I’m alone in thinking that this is what rich powerful people get up to. And in a way I’m glad that somebody is – keeps the rest of us reaching for that dream!
I just wish I hadn’t googled it – Mosley’s rasher arse is an image I’ll never get rid of.
That and Clarksons scrot – Thank you J May
As much as I dislike the man and want him out of F1, I have to admire him for his balls of steel. Most of us would run and hide in shame in his position but he refuses to budge. Anyway, he’ll have nothing left to preside over if he gets his single-engine-manufacture r-way.
it’s a shame all this. coz while i don’t really like him a lot, he’s bloody good at his job. Remember some of the nastier crashes we’ve seen in the last year? even heikki’s 170mph into the tirewall earlier this year would have probably killed him a decade ago.
i also admire his frankness, his interviews are hilarious lol.
MOSLEY FOR STAR IN A REASONABLY PRICED CAR!!!
Even if he was ’set up’ by someone in f1, isnt it a fair cop? He wasnt tricked by some honey trap or held at gun point, he just got exposed for liking a bit of hanky spanky.
Isnt this just a case of people in glass houses?
roland said…
Even if he was ’set up’ by someone in f1, isnt it a fair cop? He wasnt tricked by some honey trap or held at gun point, he just got exposed for liking a bit of hanky spanky.
Isnt this just a case of people in glass houses?
hardly. how’s about i secretly fill your home with hidden cameras and mics, and wait patiently for something to post on youtube?
not so keen on the idea, are you?
Ed said…
it’s a shame all this. coz while i don’t really like him a lot, he’s bloody good at his job. Remember some of the nastier crashes we’ve seen in the last year? even heikki’s 170mph into the tirewall earlier this year would have probably killed him a decade ago.
i also admire his frankness, his interviews are hilarious lol.
MOSLEY FOR STAR IN A REASONABLY PRICED CAR!!!
although i think max has done a pretty good job (until this spec car bullshit) i’d credit the advances in safety to jackie stewart and the driver’s union as much as max.
for his interviews, both he and bernie are incredible. they’ve mastered legalese, businessese, perfectly frank english. they can instantly outwit the interviewer, and make them look like a moron.
martin brundle: bernie, who do you like to win?
bernie: excuse me?
mb: who do you think will win?
be: well, lewis is on pole, isn’t he? that gives him the best chance, doesn’t it?
mb: thank you, bernie.
i’d love to see max as a star in a reasonably priced car, but it will never happen.
Isn’t it obvius.
It was Hamilton! Of course it was him.
So Mad Max teamed up with Alonso and they are going for the vengeance.
Alonso was in the room too. But he made a deal with the press, so he wasn’t exposed.
He’s the puppet master pulling all the strings.
Don’ joke with this. It’s a serious matter.
*obvious
@8. Graham Potter. I think he must also have an arse of steel!
Sorry that was poor.
@9. Ed. Kovaleinen would have died two or three years ago, it was that weird high side neck brace thing they put on all the drivers recently that saved him.
Heikki wouldn’t have died 2 or 3 years ago, maybe 10 or 15. Luciano Burti had a horrible crash at Spa(?) in 2001 that was far worse, but similar in nature to Heikki’s and he survived with minor injuries.
If Max can come to Peru to talk about his S&M techniques (well, actually he came to talk about some other more boring issues) quite light-heartedly with the Peruvian press… I suppose he might accept to drive the Lacetti.
F1 Yankee
Id would say fair enough if there werent certain themes [that I cant mention]. Although the court ruled these themes couldnt be proved I and many others think it was clear to see what was going on.
Considering this and the fact he is head of an world organisation I think the public had a right to know and judge for themselves.
Sorry to be so vauge but i hope you get my point.
mclaren seems to be everywhere.
TEJAS wrote:
“mclaren seems to be everywhere.”
What, even in Max’s cellar?
To be honest whilst I do think everyone should shut up about this now and that Mosley should just get on with his job, I do think that these accusations of a ’setup’ smacks just a bit of immaturity. He’s not putting his hands up and admitting he was caught with his trousers down in front of a few sadists. Rather, he chooses to cry foul play by certain members of F1.
People talk about Mosley being brutally honest and very blunt and frank. But clearly this isn’t the case. Whilst he’s admitted to being in that room at that time (though he couldn’t deny it thanks to his arse all over the tabloids…) he’s not putting his hands up and accepting he was caught. If it’s a pride issue, then he’d have a lot more pride and respect if he just put his hands up and said “ok, yes, i’m into S&M, can we all just shut up and get on with the racing now please?” I’d have a lot more respect for a man who does that than I would for one who weakly claims he was set up. It’s almost like he’s claiming innocence – like he came home from work one day to find a dozen leather-clad women and a News of the World reporter in his house.
Doesnt explain certain photos though. Ouch.
If you ask me, the pervert had it coming. In the true manner of an inflated ego, he doesn’t even think he’s done anything wrong either, he thinks his only mistake was being caught. A formidable ally if you need him (Ferrari). An odeous, obdurate and throughly unlikeable character to the rest of us. And Mclaren.
I said he should keep the gimp mask on,
But he won’t be told.
Couldn’t give a stuff.
Consenting adults enjoying themselves.
It was funny though.
Professer Plum,
In the Dungeon,
With the Whip.
What do I win?
He (mosley) must stop searching ‘who’.
There’s not all about others wrong.
He must identify what’s wrong with Himself!
Well it was either Ferrari to remind him of his loyalty to them and keep him in their pocket until Jean Todt takes over the FIA (rather like a horses head) with the threat there’s worse to come, or Mosley’s wife as payback for being such a hypocritical, perverted lowlife.
Grrrrrrrrrrrr!!Why you!!Aghhhhhhhhhh!!How dare you!!Ooh..that’s nice..a little to the left..Grrrrrrrrr!!
I think it’s a true testament to the corruption in the FIA that the man managed to retain his job. Many people appear to be saying that the scandal has nothing to do with his job, but how can that be really true? He spent weeks pursuing liable cases against the News of the World and avoiding Grand Prix’s, then when he did show up he avoided everyone like the plague delegating his work to his vice presidents.
Sadly however, it’s the image he’s given of Formula 1 that has done the most damage, something he’s since done nothing to repair; concerned only with his own image. To be frank, he’s been abusing his power for the vast majority of his tenure as president, but since the sex scandal he isn’t even trying to be subtle about it any more.
For the good Formula 1, the fans, sponsors, teams and drivers; the man needs to be dishonourably replaced.
I was wondering how long it would take for somebody to say it was Hamilton.
As for Max being BRUTALLY honest etc. well you dont quiet get it do you, he is being Honest so he gets more punishment, so just as in the very old joke about the Masochist and the sadist, Hit me hit me said the masochist….no I wont said the sadist. So yes best just to ignore the idiot that is the really best punishment
It was the CIA.
i agree with Tpott. put clarkson in charge. just think of what he will do with all that POWER!!!!
I think it’s time to get some shakeup in the people on the FIA… It’s just getting worse for the sport, it’s becoming into the sport either you win with skills or, more with penalties (technology put onto the cars were being wasted)…
(A single tire manufacturer was ok, but when you think about a single engine manufacturer idea, that was the final straw IMO..)..
I think Clarkson would immediately put super/turbo chargers back in and we’ll surely see more spectacular crashes than in the last 5+ years combined
(more spectacular than kubica’s!)..
It was not max in the room nor in pic he is innocent,MY ARSE no sorry his ARSE.
99% of lawyers / barristers give the rest a bad name.
i found kimi’s favourite song drive better drunk by afro man, youtube it
and it’s so true …
btw. KIMMI rules drunk or not
What nobody’s realised yet that he is the son of the leader of the British fasist movement in the 1930’s (Sir Oswald Mosley). No set ups, no lies, just the truth. No wonder he’s got problems. Seriouly though, he got caught and is now like all people in a position of power when in such situations and trying to blame someone else. Max, give it up, you’ve already alienated me, don’t insult my intelligence too…
he got was was coming to him , now someone get rid of him, preferably with a shot gun, before he ruins f1 even more
*what
100 million pounds it’s an out-of-this-world fine! 100 million! are you crazy?!
it really wouldnt suprise me if it was rupert murdoch that set him up, that mans being manipulating indiscriminatly people in power since he started out in australia, using false stories of sleaze to destroy a reputation.
what go’s around comes around. the sooner he’s gone the better.
To be honest it would suprise if Hamilton didn’t win, I don’t want but he will. McLaren were ovbiously backing him even a the start of the season, and if was a better diver he would already be champion, like lets say Schumacher was when he was the undisputed number one in his team. Come on Filepe!
Whats wrong with all this is that any sport should be known for its players not for the people who run it, its sad that people dont talk much about the game any more which no doubt has become a tad bit routine, but about a 50 somethin bloke called Max
so what if Max has raging balls thats a story for soaps not F1
The point here has been somewhat missed. Yes, Mosley has done some good things for F1 namely the driver safety issues. Issues and actions like that are beyond reproach and I acknowledge this.
However, look at the inconsistencies of the man and the embarassment that he has caused the sport of F1. Caught with hookers in an S&M orgy and the guy doesn’t show one iota of remorse. He fought and won a case against the media for stating it was a ‘Nazi’ orgy – even though they wore military uniforms, spoke in German and did ‘head lice’ inspections. Laughable.
Remember all, that this is the man that went after Mclaren waving the flag manically of ‘bringing the sport into disrepute.
Funny that. Mclaren have a technical dossier on Ferrari. Yes, embarassing, but we know this goes on. The head of the FIA being whipped by a whore in a military uniform for the entire world to see.
Mosley needs to go, he has lost credibility, impartiality and consistency. Though I am worried about the mooted replacement, Jean Todt. Perhaps we should just hand Ferrari the cup at the start of the year and all save money and heartache.
Regards
HSH
As Boss of Ferrari International Assistance, I’d bet there’s a whole bunch of people would have liked to see the back of Max….
The problem as I see it comes down to integrity, and he has as much as a tea bag. Rampantly biased, dictatorial, no grasp that the world of motor racing continues to evolve and helping to turn F1 into the most boring sport in the world except Golf. F1 is about racers, the 20 best drivers in the world on the grid, they are not the Maranello support crew. They ae not there to be penalised every time they overtake a Ferrari.
Time to go Max.
Oh yeah about the kinky stuff…well it’s up to him
well said hsh
I still don’t think his S&M hobby ought to have anything to do with his job for the FIA. That being said, his diplomatic skills are well down the youtube (sorry, drain), if naturally conservative companies -with big fat sponsorfunds to spend- won’t speak with him any longer.
I also think his bum really isn’t worth looking at. Neither were the girls. That’s maybe the worst part of it all: it just wasn’t worth it.
*yawn*
Hamilton should win this race if he keeps his cool he will bat massa
You’d think that being the son of Oswald Mosely Maxie Boy would have at least chosen his attire carefuly before cavorting with prostitutes. But why dress up as a German guard in a concentration camp? Is this a guilt trip, giant freudian slip or random gene playing havoc with the Mosely familly? You’ve probably blown the Knighthood Max. Ken
Lets get back to the isue at hand.
CLARKSON FOR FIA PRESIDENT!
Hi, brother, please, need your help.
Where can i find jello shot containers locally?
100 times thenks. I am vaiting for answer!!!
Hello. Just one more question. Realy, please, need your help.
Why is molly maguire’s ale house closed for business?
100 times thenks. I am vaiting for answer!!!