Mosley facing FIA vote of confidence

Formula One's governing body will decide tomorrow whether Max Mosley can remain as president after revelations of his private…

Formula One's governing body will decide tomorrow whether Max Mosley can remain as president after revelations of his private life threw the sport into turmoil.

A spokesman for the International Automobile Federation (FIA) confirmed on today that the 68-year-old Briton's fate will be sealed in a simple vote of confidence by secret ballot.

Motorsport associations and motoring clubs from 96 countries will cast 177 votes, including 19 proxies, at what could be a heated extraordinary meeting of the FIA's general assembly.

The full membership is 222 but clubs that have not paid their dues are ineligible to vote.

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The procedure is further complicated because some of the votes are split. Britain's RAC, the AA and Caravan Club, for example, each have a third of one vote and they must be in agreement if they are to register a combined vote.

Formula One's commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone, who called openly at the weekend for his long-term associate to stand down, could have a big say in convincing the undecided but Mosley also has a formidable network of allies.

The vote leaves the FIA at a crossroads, with uncertainty and turbulence likely whichever route is taken.

Mosley has said he will resign if he loses and there will be relief in some quarters if that happens. But defeat will also bring upheaval, with no clear successor lined up and Formula One facing some big decisions about future rules and regulations.

If the FIA president wins, there is the risk of a schism within the governing body which is divided between sporting clubs and those more concerned with day-to-day motoring services.

Leading 'mobility' members such as the Automobile Association of America (AAA), with 51 million members in the United States, and Germany's ADAC have come out strongly already against Mosley.

A vote for the Briton could also lead to an impasse in Formula One, with some of the manufacturer teams and leading sponsors determined to avoid his company.

Mosley has ruled out any face-saving compromise but has said he will not stand for re-election in October 2009 even if he wins the vote, with FIA vice-presidents taking over his ceremonial duties until then.

Mosley has ignored calls to quit since the tabloid News of the World newspaper published details of his involvement in what was described as a sado-masochistic role play with prostitutes.

More than two months since the scandal broke, overshadowing much of what has been happening on the race track, the FIA president has continued to defend his corner.

Mosley, who is suing the News of the World for invasion of privacy, will have an opportunity to address the assembly as will other members. The outcome of the vote is expected after 12.00pm.