Tuesday, June 3, 2008

The Confidence Vote (Scrutineering Paris Edition)

OMG. No way. No fucking way! Max Mosley actually won the FIA vote of confidence! I am absolutely floored. I totally didn't expect this! Did any of you expect this?

The results for a motion of confidence in Max:

For the motion: 103
Against the motion: 55
Abstentions: 7
Invalid votes (blank): 4



He didn't do too bad for himself! However, this really does create a few problems. For starters, the ADAC (Germany's national motoring body, according to Autosport) has pulled away from the FIA, the AAA (American Automobile Association) is considering bailing, and word on the street is that everyone else is "planning their next move"/pretty damn disgruntled. One has to ask, is this really going to pull motorsport apart? Paul Stoddart sees the vote's outcome a sign that the FIA will soon be going the way of the dodo:

"This is a sad day for motorsport because this is the beginning of the end of the FIA [. . .] The damage done is irreparable and we will now see the demise of the FIA."


It seems unlikely, but you never know. Although the snafu that started this really isn't anyone's business and never should have become public discussion, that doesn't change how much it weirds out teams, sponsors, Sir Jackie (below left, three-time WDC; permanent fixture in the paddock, always with a ridiculous checked cap) and the Dutch (among others).
















Exactly how is Mosley going to effectively administer F1 if virtually no one in the paddock wants anything to do with him? Even Bernie Ecclestone (below, second from left [srsly, he's probably the shortest man EVER]) has some cautionary words on this subject, and he and Max are BFF! Essentially, he says, give Mosley an inch and he'll try and take a yard:

"The problem is, if he stays until 2009, he will run again. [. . .] I am 100 per cent certain about that; no, one million per cent certain. That's what he said. He says: 'I don't have to do anything. There'll be another election and I can stand if I want.'"
















So, wait, Max, what was all that you said earlier this year about knowing to leave when the party was over, even if people were asking you to stay? I think it'd be terribly foolish for him to run again. Almost as foolish as being "one million per cent certain."

And that's your live report from Paris!

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