Mosley lauds Briatore, chides his rivals

Writing in his monthly column for F1 Racing magazine, Mosley was highly complimentary towards Briatore - but equally acidic in his references to other team bosses, which the president refrained from naming but has left enough hints for identification.

"It must be utterly galling to work long hours, employing hundreds of staff and a meetings matrix, in a massive facility, spending huge sums, only to be blown away by a glamorous Italian playboy who doesn't even seem to be trying - especially when he does it all on a smaller budget than yours," Mosley wrote.

"I believe [Briatore's] major talent is being able to distinguish between what matters and what doesn't.

"No rambling on at great length, explaining in detail things everyone already knows, to the point where you wonder whether you're more bored than confused or more confused than bored. Flavio comes crisply to the point.

"It's a pity we don't have a few more like him; it would make the F1 paddock more fun and far more interesting to the public. Oh, and the teams' side of the business would be better run and significantly more profitable."