Max Mosley – Fernando Alonso would be a devalued champion
His reign as president of Formula One’s governing body, the FIA, ended in acrimonious circumstances, but that hasn’t stopped Max Mosley voicing his opinions.
After there were threats from the teams of forming a breakaway series to rival Formula One last season, the blame was pinned on Mosley and his style of governance. His controversial policy of introducing a budget-cap to the sport was not met with open arms, and the fiercest of disputes dominated the headlines rather than the racing.
All was resolved eventually with Mosley agreeing to stand down as president when his time was up last year. It was a decision that was welcomed by Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo, who called Mosley a “dictator” during the rancour of last season. Mosley agreed to not stand for re-election, and backed Jean Todt to win the election to become president, which he did.
Mosley and Ferrari don’t see eye to eye, and Mosley described Di Montezemolo as a “weak character who is easily led.” Mosley believed Ferrari would “fail” if a budget-cap had been introduced, and he has now had another dig at the Scuderia by saying if Fernando Alonso was to win this year’s championship by seven points or less, it would be “devalued.”
The former president thinks Alonso’s extra seven points gained [the points difference between first and second] in controversial fashion at the German Grand Prix - where Ferrari told Felipe Massa to let Alonso through and win the race - should not count. “I did feel at the very least that the extra points that Alonso got by overtaking Massa under team orders should have been taken away,” he said.
Alonso is currently 11 points clear of the Red Bull of Mark Webber in the drivers’ standings, and Ferrari were fined $100,000 for breaking the rules on team orders for their actions in Germany. Mosley has now poured more petrol on the Ferrari fire.
“That's the absolute minimum, because if by any chance Alonso were to win the championship with a margin less than the seven points that he picked up, I would say illegitimately in Hockenheim, it would devalue the championship. But that's just a personal view,” Mosley added.
Formula One commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone celebrated his 80th birthday yesterday, his birthday wish looks unlikely to come true. The man insists, despite all that has happened between Mosley and the teams, especially with Ferrari, there wouldn’t be a problem if Mosley was to come back as president. Even though Mosley has ruled out a return, Ecclestone still believes.
“I suppose we could go back and Max could be president of the FIA,” he said. “I don't think the teams would mind. If you asked anyone now if Max coming back as president of the FIA, if they would complain, I think they'd say 'no',” he added.
It would be interesting to see the reaction if that opinion was ever voiced around Maranello.
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