Formula 1's governing body will decide today on whether Max Mosley will remain as president or go because of a sex scandal that has thrown the sport into turmoil.
An International Automobile Federation (FIA) spokesman confirmed on Monday that the 68-year-old's fate would be settled by a simple but secret ballot. Motorsport associations and motoring clubs from 96 countries will cast 177 votes, including 19 proxies, at what could be a heated extraordinary meeting of the FIA's general assembly.
The full membership is 222-strong but clubs that have not paid their dues can't vote and the procedure is further complicated because some votes are split. The RAC, the AA and the Caravan Club, for example, each have a third of one vote, with that whole counting only if they all agree.
A poll in Britain's Guardian newspaper of 100 of the member clubs showed 37 percent wanted Mosley to resign, 25 percent for him to stay and 29 percent refused to comment. The rest were undecided or ineligible. F1's commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone, who has called openly for his long-term associate to stand down, could have a big say in convincing the waverers but Mosley also has a formidable network of allies.
The vote leaves the FIA at a crossroads, with uncertainty and turbulence likely whichever route is taken. Mosley has said he will resign if he loses and there will be relief in some quarters if that happens but defeat will also bring upheaval, with no clear successor lined up and F1 facing some big decisions about future rules and regulations.
If the FIA president wins, there is the risk of a schism within the governing body which is divided between sporting clubs and those more concerned with day-to-day motoring services. Leading 'mobility' members such as the Automobile Association of America (AAA), with 51-million members in the US, and Germany's ADAC have already come out strongly against Mosley.
A vote for him could also lead to an impasse because some automakers and leading sponsors are determined to avoid his company. Mosley has ruled out any face-saving compromise but has said he will not stand for re-election in October 2009 even if he wins the vote. Mosley has ignored calls to quit since the News of the World newspaper published details of his involvement in what was described as a Nazi-style, sado-masochistic orgy with prostitutes.
The outcome of the vote is expected after 1pm.
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