The sex scandal surrounding
Max Mosley and threatening to tear Formula 1 apart will be simply ‘written off as a learning experience' – that is the opinion of leading sponsorship experts, who have rubbished fears that the affair will prove damaging to the sport's long-term financial future.
The
FIA President is currently embroiled in legal proceedings against the
News of the World for ‘unlimited damages' on the grounds of breach of privacy, after the Sunday tabloid published a front page exposé of what it claimed was his ‘sick Nazi orgy with 5 hookers'. Whilst not denying the allegations, Mosley has repeatedly vigorously refuted any ‘Nazi connotations' to the £2,500, five-hour experience, and in the face of mounting pressure from
F1's leading figures, teams and motoring associations is steadfastly refusing to relinquish his position.
Former three-time world champion Sir
Jackie Stewart in particular has been vociferous in his criticism of the 67-year-old's stubbornness in his determination to remain in his post at the head of world motorsport's governing body, and the Scot has suggested the damning revelations could have a serious negative impact on F1's financial health and stability. Sector experts, however, dismiss that notion, even hinting that the media furore surrounding the issue may not necessarily be a bad thing for the sport.
“There is a well known-phrase that all publicity is good publicity,” Sponsorship Consulting managing director Pippa Collett told American broadcaster
CNN, “and the same holds true in this case.
“He [Mosley] wrote to the FIA and was very open and demonstrated a level of professionalism. You can't fault him for that.”
Mosley's letter in defence of his conduct – in which he admitted his embarrassment over the matter but described the sado-masochistic orgy as ‘harmless and completely legal' and insisted his private life had no bearing on his professional capability to rule the sport – preceded an announcement from the FIA that the Senate will meet in Paris on 3 June to hold a vote of confidence on his future. Collett argued that the outcome of that meeting would have little effect on the long-term strategies of either
Formula 1's current or potential investors
