Mosley Unhappy with 'No Passing' Proposal at Monza

Max Mosley, president of Formula One's ruling body, the FIA, has expressed his disagreement with those drivers who brought up a proposal to not overtake during the start of the Italian Grand Prix last Sunday.

World Champion Michael Schumacher led the proposal suggesting the drivers should not begin racing until after the second chicane on the opening lap of the Monza race, to avoid a repeat of last year's accident, in which a fire marshal was killed. After being unable to reach an unanimous agreement, the start took place as usual.

Mosley, however, claimed it was too late to be worried about safety, but admitted he sympathised with the drivers following the terrorist attacks in the United States and Alex Zanardi's horrific crash in Germany.

"If there was any case for worrying about safety at Monza, then the time was months ago - not immediately before the race," Mosley told The Sun.

"Everybody was a bit emotional after events in the USA and Zanardi's crash and we can sympathise with that. But it's at times like this that we have to remain calm and think sensibly."

Mosley has also defended the decision to race in the United States next week, despite many drivers and Formula One members questioning the idea.

"President Bush has told America to go back to work and that's what we should do," he added. "People over there are taking all the security precautions which makes us happy to go to the USA. If they said to us it was dangerous, I am sure the organisers would cancel."