Furthermore, the sport enabled us to set up the FIA Foundation, which offers free membership to all clubs and has been particularly effective in working with smaller clubs and with FIA members from the developing countries.

Rather than threaten to break away of question the relevance of the FIA, I believe that the major mobility clubs should do more to ensure the success of the merger that they themselves originally supported.

The negotiations with the AIT were long and difficult and many of us worked very hard to achieve the merger. We are now beginning to see the benefits with the implementation of a Mobility Plan developed by the clubs and a highly professional new management team. So despite the current difficulties, I would urge the larger mobility clubs not to threaten breakaway groups but rather work harder to make a success of the merger for the benefit of the member clubs and the motoring public.

Of course, agreeing on the governance structure that meets the need of both mobility and sport has not been easy. As an organisation resembling a trade association exclusively concerned with motoring tourism, the AIT tradition was highly consensual. By contrast the FIA has a very different and much more robust governance structure. As one of the top international regulatory bodies for sport, the FIA has to take difficult decisions that involve the safety of both competitors and the public, the fair enforcement of rules, and the organisation of major championships across the world in many different disciplines. Given these very different characteristics, it is not surprising that there has been discussion over the composition of the voting list system. Happily the Working Group agreed at last year's General Assembly will propose a compromise on the this matter to the General Assembly in November which, if accepted, will enable the Presidential elections due next year to be held under a system that meets the needs of both the mobility and sporting sides of the FIA. This is an important step in resolving differences arising from the merger process that I wholeheartedly welcome.


The future

It has been a great privilege and indeed an honour to serve in a voluntary capacity as president of the sport since 1991 and the entire FIA since 1993. This has enabled me to achieve a number of goals which give me great personal satisfaction.

However, it was always my intention to stop in 2009. Nowadays, the presidency is a very difficult job, requiring complete dedication on a full-time basis. At 68, I want to work less hard and would also like to be free to devote more time to general road safety and environmental questions. However, I think it essential that there should be a smooth transition. If we are to have a smooth transition we need to wait until 2009, when there will be a general election with new presidential candidates, each putting forward a list built on consensus for the approval of the FIA membership as a whole.

For these reasons I do not propse to resign unless a majority of the FIA membership wish me to do so. If the General Assembly agrees, I will continue until October 2009 leaving almost of public representation of the FIA to the two Deputy Presidents. This will give me the time I need to progress the current negotiations to the point where proposals safeguarding the fundamental interests of the FIA can be submitted to the WMSC and the General Assembly. It will also give me time to pursue the legal proceedings I have started against those who have caused so much unnecessary trouble and embarrassment. Above all, it will allow a smooth and orderly transition to a new presidency satisfactory to the membership as a whole.


Yours sincerely,


Max Mosley