Jun.3 (GMM) Max Mosley's controversial victory in Paris on Tuesday did nothing to ease the tensions with his former ally Bernie Ecclestone, F1's chief executive and commercial rights holder.
Ecclestone, 77, had pleaded with the embattled FIA president to step down prior to the confidence vote, and last month interpreted Mosley's attempted widening of the sex scandal as a possible "declaration of war".Speaking to the British newspaper The Daily Telegraph on Tuesday evening, Ecclestone denied that Mosley's victory will make it any easier for him to return to full flight as FIA president."There were many people who didn't want to speak to him before. I can't think they will want to speak to him now as a result of what has happened."Nothing has changed in that respect. Just because he gets a few clubs from Africa voting for him will not make the king of Spain want to shake his hand," Ecclestone added.Telegraph writer Kevin Garside also derided Mosley's confidence victory, pointing out that many of those who voted for him were "from Eastern Europe, Africa and the developing world".Similarly, Dutch touring club president Guido van Woerkom said Tuesday's outcome leaves Mosley as a mere "lame duck" president.BMW-Sauber principal Mario Theissen spoke for many other stakeholders, however, when he said he hoped Tuesday marked a turning point in the saga."It is important now for everyone concerned to turn their undivided attention back to the sport," the German is quoted as saying in a statement.
