THE pressure on Max Mosley to step down as president of the FIA was compounded yesterday by a meeting of senior management of 10 of the 11 Formula One constructors. Team principals, along with F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone, had gathered in a motorhome ahead of today’s Spanish Grand Prix to sign a letter calling for Mosley, who last month was accused by the News of the World of taking part in a sadomasochistic sex orgy with five prostitutes, during which he appeared to reenact concentration camp scenes and imitate a German accent, to quit.

However, it now appears that three of the teams – Ferrari, Toro Rosso and Williams – drew back from putting their names to it, prompting Ecclestone, who had expected unanimity before signing himself, to walk out. However, there is more bad news for Mosley after it emerged that some motoring organisations are considering leaving the FIA and setting up a separate organisation if he is successful in his desperate attempt to cling on as president. The American Automobile Association (AAA), which has 50 million members, believes the controversy could divide clubs and “significantly impact” the FIA, which controls motorsport and represents motoring organisations throughout the world.

“This in turn could give way to a new international umbrella organisation. In the interests of preserving the FIA, the AAA believes the most appropriate course of action would be for Mosley to step down,” spokeswoman Yolanda Cade told The Sunday Times.

Calls for Mosley to resign have come from many individuals and organisations, including the AAA, its German equivalent, the ADAC, and several former F1 world champions and drivers. The 67-year-old has dismissed them all.

However, he has been shunned on yet another front – the Israeli government has withdrawn an invitation to visit the country just 24 hours after it was issued. The country’s minister of science, culture and sport, Galeb Majadle, did not know about the uproar, but “once the scandal was brought to the minister’s attention”, a statement read, “he has requested to withdraw immediately any official invitation to Mosley.”

Mosley has called an extraordinary meeting of the FIA in Paris on June 3. He appears to be confident of winning a vote of no-confidence. The FIA comprises 222 motorsport and motoring bodies from 130 countries, giving it a powerful voice on transport issues, including safety, mobility and the environment, with international bodies including the United Nations and the European Parliament. Many members, including the British Motor Sports Association, have refused to comment before the meeting.

Despite its huge membership, the AAA has only one vote in the general assembly, and Mosley has a strong powerbase among smaller motorsport clubs that have, or hope to have, events staged in their countries. Yet even they will not want to see the FIA split and lose influence. Mosley insists he has received considerable support, although only two voting organisations have made that support public.

The AAA said that membership of clubs was not reflected in the voting system but that was not necessarily a concern. “The wisdom of individual club representatives and their ability to deal with the current controversy is not a function of the size of their organisation. Large and small clubs have expressed their indignation over what has occurred,” said Cade.

Many in the F1 paddock remain nervous of speaking out, fearful of possible retribution if Mosley survives. One insider said: “A lot of people see Max as a dangerous wounded animal. It is extraordinary that a man in such a responsible position can intimidate so many successful and dynamic people. We have laughed about it in the past, but this is really stuff which is out of hand. Thank goodness a few have the balls to fight this nonsense, including the AAA.”

Marketing experts have also warned of the dangers if Mosley clings on. “Sponsors spend a lot of money because they have a message to deliver to their audience, and part of that message is about their reputation,” said Ardi Kolah, a leading author on sports sponsorship. “If the governing body gets in the way of that message, questions have to be asked. How can this possibly be seen to be in the best interests of the sport? And isn’t there a duty of care owed to the sponsors by the governing body, that no person engaged by it brings the sport into disrepute?”

Sara Richards, spokeswoman for the supporters’ organisation the Formula One Club, also spoke out: “If we were to meet in the paddock, I couldn’t take him seriously; all I’d see is that ridiculous image of him having his backside whipped. For him to say his private life shouldn’t affect his job is irrelevant – it does. How can he claim to be the best person to represent the sport when he’s a national joke?”

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