Mosley may stand again

Although his decision to continue as president of the FIA until at least the end of his term in October 2005 could be seen in some quarters as an embarrassing U-turn for Mosley, the move has strengthened his position within the organisation. It has been suggested that this may have been part of his plan all along.

Anyone planning to stand against Mosley has been left in a much weaker position after FIA representatives pleaded with him to reconsider his position. They were prompted into this, according to Autosport magazine sources, after American Robert L Darbelnet came forward with his running mate Jacques Regis in a bid to take over the role.

It is believed that they were mistaken in the amount of support they could count on from the large Region 1 voting group which includes Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

Mosley's strengthened position means that he is almost certain to be re-elected as president should he stand for a fourth term in 2005. If he does, and wins, then he will push through plans to split up the roles of the president into a sporting and a touring side. He would then appoint individuals to take over certain responsibilities within the sport.

"If I stay on," he said, "it will be with someone to run the sport, someone to run the touring, and me to solve the odd problem."