Mosley vows to step back after election

In a letter sent to FIA members on Wednesday, a copy of which has been seen by AUTOSPORT, Mosley said now was the time for him to move away as much as possible from involvement in the organisation - rather than trying to keep a watching brief over what happens.

"I wish my successor and his entire team the very best for the future," he wrote in the letter. "I hope in a modest way through membership of the Senate and the Foundation to continue to stay in touch with the clubs and with the new leadership of the FIA.

"But I will only offer advice if specifically asked to do so. The time has now come for me to step back and enjoy a much quieter life."

Although both FIA presidential candidates Ari Vatanen and Jean Todt have vowed to bring change to the governing body if they are elected, Mosley also made it clear in the letter than he felt his reign had been overwhelmingly successful - especially in dealing with safety and some of F1's recent controversies.

"Early in my Presidency in 1994 we lost Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger. Their deaths led to a fundamental re-evaluation of safety at all levels of motorsport. We established a research group charged with constant innovation and renewal of safety requirements.

"The result has been improved head and neck protection, the HANS system, better harnesses, crash helmets, wheel tethers, survival cell systems and many other innovations, all of which have contributed to a huge improvement in safety.

"The benefits can be seen every weekend in race meetings and rallies all over the world. Without this progress, the heavy crashes during the recent Formula One event at Suzuka might easily have led to another tragic weekend like Imola in 1994."

Mosley also believed he was right to have acted decisively when it came to sorting out the issues relating to the 2007 spy case and the most recent drama surrounding Renault causing a deliberate crash at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix.

"In the last year or two, the degree of controversy about the FIA and my role as President reached new heights. In particular, we had to deal with the theft by a top Formula One team of the entire intellectual property of their main rival.

"More recently we had an extraordinary plot to crash a car deliberately during a race. Again, there was controversy but this time the car manufacturer concerned took action and the truth was quickly established. It is always difficult, but these problems have to be tackled decisively if Formula One is to remain credible."

And although Mosley has openly said he wants Todt to win the election, he told the FIA clubs that he was sure they would choose the right candidate in the October 23 vote.

"I am confident that the FIA will recognise how complex and difficult is the task confronting my successor and his team. The election is a transparent and democratic contest and I know you will choose wisely."