Max Mosley is no longer fit to serve in the most powerful post in international motor racing – that is the view of Sir
Jackie Stewart, who has re-iterated his belief that an executive needs to be brought in from outside
Formula 1 to lead the sport into the future.
The three-time
F1 world champion and embattled
FIA President have long been adversaries, rarely seeing eye-to-eye on matters of importance within the top flight. Stewart told
CNN that in his view the
News of the World-exposed sex scandal enveloping both Mosley and F1 had brought the sport into ‘disrepute', adding that ‘good judgment and taste' should have seen the 68-year-old resign.
“The FIA and Max Mosley problem is very, very unfortunate,” the Scot underlined. “We (the sport) are putting ourselves up as clay pigeons with the public and sponsors.
“I think the FIA body should govern the sport but Max is not the person to do that. I believe you should go out and head hunt a new CEO – not someone from the sport – that can put together a proper structure.”
F1 has trodden a rocky path since the episode came to light, after the
News of the World published its shocking front page splash back in March entitled ‘F1 boss has sick Nazi orgy with 5 hookers' – the Nazi element of which Mosley has always vigorously denied.
Amidst continuing uncertainty over the sport's future – and persistent threats of a breakaway grand prix series to be led by F1 ringmaster and Mosley's long-time friend and ally
Bernie Ecclestone – Stewart is adamant that a change of leadership is imperative.
What's more, the 69-year-old Royal Bank of Scotland ambassador contended that the current problems plaguing F1 all have their roots back in the unprecedented $100 million USD fine handed out to McLaren-Mercedes by Mosley over last year's spying row.
“It was an extreme penalty and attracted negative publicity,” Stewart argued. “Any sport that can pay a $100 million fine doesn't sit well with the public.”
