ACI president says Mosley is stronger now

Gelpi, who has been president of the Automobile Club d'Italia for the past two months, voted for Mosley to stay in power, and argued afterwards that the result which went 103-55 in the FIA president's favour, only reinforces the position of the governing body.

"This vote reinforces the FIA: there is [now] time to create a new governance for the future and to heal the divisions that have been created," Gelpi was quoted in Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport.

"At the beginning what happened was embarrassing, but then the need of safeguarding the FIA, which is above everything else, prevailed. The confidence vote for Mosley is tied to what he's done for road safety and the sport."

A vote of confidence was called upon Mosley after he was the subject of sexual allegations in an expose in the News of the World newspaper in March.

Asked if the whole affair had weakened Mosley's presidency, Gelpi replied: "No, in fact this vote strengthens him.

"If anything, it's embarrassing to know that someone used a private issue for non-moralistic aims, isn't it?" he added. "The reasons why a private issue became public must be made clear."

Gelpi also called for those motoring organisations considering withdrawing from the FIA over the matter to reconsider their position.

"I hope [they don't leave]," he said. "To count, the FIA must stay united."