Gracia: Mosley 'mad' to back Todt

Eurosport - Wed, 01 Jul 16:43:00 2009

The president of the Spanish motor racing federation has suggested that Max Mosley will only be replaced by Jean Todt as FIA president if Mosley "has gone even more mad".

FORMULA 1 2007 Season 2007 Carlos Gracia President Spanish Motoring Association - 0

Carlos Gracia, who is a member of the FIA's world motorsport council, has responded to the widely-held paddock view that Mosley has his sights set on Todt one day assuming his responsibilities - whether that day be this October, when he has vowed to step down and relinquish the reins, or four years or more later still.

It is believed that the three most likely options are either for Mosley to remain in the position for a fifth consecutive term - against the teams' wishes - or for erstwhile McLaren chief Ron Dennis or Ferrari counterpart Todt to take over.

Dennis is unlikely to receive Mosley's support given the well-publicised mutual antipathy between the pair that some argue culminated in the sporting record $100 million fine levied at the Woking-based outfit for 2007's infamous espionage scandal, whilst Todt would in all probability not be a popular choice given accusations in some quarters that the governing body is already biased towards the Scuderia.

"Unless Max has gone even more mad, I don't think he'll back Jean Todt because we all know where he comes from and who he's linked to," Gracia told Spanish radio station Onda Cero.

Long an ally of Mosley's, Gracia has not discounted putting forward his own candidature either, but he warned that the Formula One Teams' Association and its president Luca di Montezemolo are playing a dangerous game in risking further antagonising the Englishman before he has even left his post.

Late last week, in a blow to the recently-concluded peace deal that looked to have saved the sport from collapse, Mosley demanded an apology from the Ferrari president for 'dancing on his grave before he was buried'.

"What Luca di Montezemolo has done shows a total lack of respect to the FIA and the World Council," Gracia opined. "I don't support Max Mosley to the death, but what I am totally in favour of, to the death, is respect for our institutions.

"It wouldn't surprise me if Max Mosley runs for re-election. The worst thing you can do is leave an animal badly wounded. What Luca has managed to do is re-activate Max."

Crash.net / Eurosport

Comment 20 - 39 of 59

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  1. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    the hamster slapping will continue

    From Burt, on Thu 2 Jul 8:54AM

  2. The best way to get rid of all the problems in F1 is to­ get rid of Ferrari.

    From westpj, on Thu 2 Jul 8:50AM

  3. schumi too young wizzo. Do they have to be over 60 to­ be prisident????. Not a big schumi fan but i strongly­ believe that them old hacks that rule the sport should­ be gradually eliminated. Say in about 3 years and let a­ whole new YOUNGER generation take over. People the age­ of schumi. It will best for the sport

    From Charles, on Thu 2 Jul 8:20AM

  4. RON DENNIS PLEASE...........!!

    No better a candidate­ can I imagine....and one who would be welcomed by all­ the teams as a champion of the sport......wether he­ will want the job is another matter.......

    LET'S­ HOPE HE DOES

    From carl, on Thu 2 Jul 7:45AM

  5. You wouldn't want to meet this guy in a dark alley­ --- Or a well lit alley --- Or a well lit busy street­ ----- Or --- Hell you wouldn't want to meet him at­ all...

    From Walking quiet, on Thu 2 Jul 6:30AM

  6. Has anyone else become aware of the fact that all these­ superficial egos are doing everything possible to ruin­ an otherwise awsome sport?

    From Jim J., on Thu 2 Jul 4:47AM

  7. If it is Sir jackie stwart, any british team or british­ driver wins, some people will cry foul! LOL

    From ferraribeng, on Thu 2 Jul 2:13AM
  8. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    the hamster slapping will continue

    From Burt, on Thu 2 Jul 1:55AM

  9. Marnio its my understanding that it is you who is inept­ you Peruvian idiot.

    From stewart.howe1, on Thu 2 Jul 12:43AM

  10. Neither Tott or Dennis should even be in the running if­ Tott does something that favours Ferrari everybody­ except Ferrari will shout foul & if Dennis does­ something against Ferrari the same will happen we need­ somebody who will not take sides & at the moment­ the only 1 seems to be J Stewart

    From U R SOLES, on Thu 2 Jul 12:20AM

  11. You know that this is getting funny. What a soap oprah.­ Lets put them all on a train to Instanbul get one of­ them shot and get some real intrigue! LOL

    From X RACER, on Thu 2 Jul 12:06AM
  12. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    who is this Carlos Gracia, i never the hear of him.
    if­­ he the spanish he must be ok, but spain done less in­­ the f1 than the uk so i not so the sure.
    the uk have­­ the lot to answer for in the f1. they give us the­­ mclaren ruffians, mr hamiltons father, the six wheel­­ car and ricketts.
    the f1 i think now do need the­­ change. under uk rule it become the corrupt, like the­­ kangeroo caught.
    uk not start the fire in the­­ furnace.
    let the king of all the f1 run the f1, yes­­ that my friends micheal schummacher. he should be­ given­ the f1 crown for the ever and get rid of these­ inept­ english pigs.

    From marnio from peru, on Wed 1 Jul 11:44PM

  13. harleyboy you sure getta lot of thumbs down boy. dont­ these limeys like ya?

    From Daytona Bob, on Wed 1 Jul 11:12PM

  14. Shumi is too young to stand as president,marnio.

    From wizzo, on Wed 1 Jul 10:38PM
  15. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    BMW board of directors must demand fromFamily Quandt­ that they handover their shares to the factoryworkers­ !!!
    Family Quandt got the money through warcrimes !!

    From Ape, on Wed 1 Jul 10:28PM

  16. Blimey harley, I truly inspired you eh? that was some­ response (especially for a thick yank like yourself)­ just for being called an ar se hole. Ar se hole.

    From , on Wed 1 Jul 10:24PM
  17. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    who is this Carlos Gracia, i never the hear of him.
    if­ he the spanish he must be ok, but spain done less in­ the f1 than the uk so i not so the sure.
    the uk have­ the lot to answer for in the f1. they give us the­ mclaren ruffians, mr hamiltons father, the six wheel­ car and ricketts.
    the f1 i think now do need the­ change. under uk rule it become the corrupt, like the­ kangeroo caught.
    uk not start the fire in the­ furnace.
    let the king of all the f1 run the f1, yes­ that my friends micheal schummacher. he should be given­ the f1 crown for the ever and get rid of these inept­ english pigs.

    From marnio from peru, on Wed 1 Jul 10:20PM

  18. I say put Luca di Montezemolo as head of the FIA.
    That­ would really grind Mad Max to no end!

    From Major Domo, Republic of Vermont, on Wed 1 Jul 9:59PM
  19. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    such a collection of interesting thought provoking­ discussion on this site. Obviously very intelligent­ people post here. What a bunch....

    From Rich T, on Wed 1 Jul 9:56PM
  20. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    my oh my. words that expel a breathless sense of­ nothing coming from a little person of unimportant­ stature, a role , a life, of emptiness, a desire to be­ somebody in a sea of genius. Pictures on the wall of­ great masters in literature, music, art, philosophy,­ and you, an absolute frame of nasquam. An inasnum­ communis paganus servus trapped in a mindless body. A­ soul searching for light and truth that finds a shallow­ hole of despair. You truly are just a sad little­ insignificant being.

    From harleyboy, on Wed 1 Jul 9:54PM
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