Mosley Warns Drivers about Wars of Words

Max Mosley, president of Formula One's governing body, reminded drivers on Saturday of the dangers of racing and urged them to avoid public rows with each other.

FIA head Mosley, speaking at the track where Brazilian Ayrton Senna died in 1994, criticised Williams driver Juan Pablo Montoya for his comments after the Brazilian Grand Prix, warning the Colombian to avoid inflammatory criticism of other drivers.

Commenting on the rising number of collisions at the start of races Mosley said that driver self-interest rather than a rule change would lead to a reduction in incidents.

"The drivers all know that if they collide with each other there is a very, very good chance that they would be severely disadvantaged if not eliminated from the race so they have a strong incentive not to do it.

"Maybe I am being over-optimistic but I would be surprised if this trend of having a collision at every start continues because it is disadvantageous to the drivers," said Mosley.

The improved safety to vehicles and the increased likelihood of driver's escaping from injury unhurt was leading Formula One's top drivers to take more chances, the FIA president said.

"In the end I am afraid you will get more collisions - the safer the cars become the more people can push it to the edge knowing that if there is a collision then it is not likely to hurt them.

"Now, personally, I am very glad that is the case but the fact remains that, psychologically, perhaps 40 years ago, you didn't take the risks you do now.

"That said I think it is very foolish if drivers express themselves aggressively in the press on these matters because in the end it is a very dangerous sport.

"We can get accidents and if we get such strong expressions of opinion in the press followed by an accident that would have consequences outside the sport," he said.

Unwise

Mosley's comments come after Montoya made a sharp criticism of Michael Schumacher's driving at the Brazilian Grand Prix last month.

The FIA president said that while no disciplinary action was planned against Montoya, it was ill-considered of the Colombian to publicly criticise Schumacher.

"We try not to get involved in these sort of things unless somebody starts to damage the sport.

"I think from his point of view it is probably a little bit unwise sometimes to complain about other drivers, in case something happens and then it might cause you difficulties," said Mosley.

But he said there would be no attempt to censor drivers and accepted that the highly-charged world of Formula One would always produce arguments.

"People should be free to express an opinion and certainly they should be free to dissent and say they don't agree with the FIA. It is only when they actually damage the sport that we start to get difficult.

"These sort of disagreements are all part and parcel of the sport. As soon as you have characters and different views and a large media you are going to get these things reported and we are not too worried about it unless we think the interests of Formula One are being undermined," Mosley said.