There’s been a bit of chat this week about a driver’s strike in Formula 1 - something that hasn’t happened since 1982 when the drivers got together, locked themselves in a bus and decided they weren’t going to race because of proposed clauses in the driver licensing system.  The license system is once more the source of the controversy but this time it’s strictly about money.

The driver’s are facing a 600% increase in the license fee, unilaterally imposed by the FIA.  The driver’s say they have on two occasions attempted to initiate a dialog that might result in a compromise. The FIA has refused to talk but the governing body insists they have not received a firm date from the drivers.  With the process going nowhere, idle chatter has turned to a potential driver’s strike at the British Grand Prix

However, does the Grand Prix Driver’s Association actually have the right to strike?  The short answer is no, but the legal reality is more complicated.

Generally, the right to strike is only available to trade unions.  Professional associations are not labour unions, they are more like special interest groups.  In the case of the GPDA, their primary interest is in safety and in lobbying the FIA to insure cars and tracks meet safety standards and that adequate medical response exists at all venues.  Unlike a union, the GPDA does not negotiate driver contracts, terms of employment or represent the driver in a grievance process with an employer.

Based on this explanation, the GPDA has no legal right to strike because it is not, by definition or actions, a trade union.

If the drivers refuse to race in protest of the licensing fees (as opposed to a safety issue) then they could be terminated by their employers for breach of contract.  Fortunately for the drivers, Formula 1 is a performance based business and the fastest pilots are always in demand. The overpaid or over hyped might find themselves on extended holidays.

The more complicated reality is that the FIA has the ability to act unilaterally with respect to licenses and rules. This situation is not really proving all that helpful to the sport.  The current unrest (this time by the drivers) is yet another sign that the system needs to be changed so that all parties have a say in the governance of the sport.

Sadly, autocratic institutions and their leaders rarely compromise without threats and unrest.  The history of unions is full of such people.

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Fear. Uncertainty. Doubt. FUD is a common acronym in the computer world, most often associated with Microsoft, the large monopolistic company hell-bent on controlling the software market. Microsoft often uses FUD to convince potential customers of the dangers of purchasing products from or partnering with a rival. They argue that you are always safer staying with a known product and avoiding the risk and uncertainty of change. This is also the latest tactic initiated by Max Mosley in his increasingly desperate campaign to remain in power as FIA President.

In a letter to all the FIA Club Presidents, Max plays the fear, uncertainty and doubt card by suggesting that great harm could come to the FIA should he be removed from power via a scheduled non-confidence vote on June 3.

First, he suggests that the members should fear losing their control over Formula 1 to Big Business. Mosley paints a dark future in which the FIA loses control of F1 to the Commercial Rights Holders. This shadow cabinet of business interests would then decide the rules governing the sport. Unbeknown to the members, this attack on the FIA is occurring right now and Max is doing all he can to hold the line.

Curiously, the letter does not explain why members should not be suspicious of the timing of the information, this being the first mention of a hostile takeover. Second, it does not explain to what degree members currently have any real control over Formula 1. In truth, the autocratic Mosley has always wielded the real power of the organization.

Next, Mosley mentions several challenges facing the FIA including the aforementioned F1 takeover, the future of the WRC and the potential divorce between the sporting and mobility clubs. He suggests possible solutions to these problems that imply that without the leadership of an experienced hand who understands the issues, there is much uncertainly ahead for the FIA.

Finally, should you be someone who thinks that there is just as capable a candidate out there who could rise to these challenges Max has some bad news for you. Just the process of choosing a new President could very well put the FIA at risk - members might inadvertently elect a ‘Manchurian-like’ candidate controlled by the very forces that seek to undermine the organization. No one can be trusted! Doubt all who might seek power! Trust Max, who you know, from reading the letter, has fought the good fight on behalf of the FIA for years and years.

The underlying message from Max is clear. “Let me do the job until I retire next year because, frankly, no one else can handle all of these challenges better than I can and the chances of you electing someone even worse than me are almost guaranteed.”

The argument has some logic to it, but only if you’re willing to believe that Max himself wasn’t helped into power by individuals with commercial agendas and that many of the problems facing the FIA at the moment are not a direct consequence of his experienced leadership.

I believe that it’s questionable that the future of Formula 1 is so closely tied to Mosley’s own fate. He has done much for the sport but he is not the sport. My hope is that I’m proven right on June 3.

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Today, the deafening silence that has followed allegations of tawdry exploits involving  FIA President Max Mosley was broken by four auto manufacturers determined to distance themselves from the scandal.  BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Honda and Toyota all issued statements that make it clear that Mosley has a struggle ahead to keep his Presidency.

BMW and Mercedes-Benz issued the following joint statement this morning:

“The content of the publications is disgraceful. As a company, we strongly distance ourselves from it. This incident concerns Max Mosley both personally and as President of the FIA, the global umbrella organisation for motoring clubs. Its consequences therefore extend far beyond the motor sport industry. We await a response from the relevant FIA bodies.”

Honda issued a similar release later in the day:

“It is necessary that senior figures in sport and business maintain the highest standards of conduct in order to fulfil their duties with integrity and respect. The Honda Racing F1 Team is extremely disappointed by recent events surrounding Mr Mosley and we are concerned that the reputation of Formula One and all its participants is being damaged. We request that the FIA gives this matter careful consideration and reaches an immediate decision in the best interests of F1 and Motorsport.” 

And Toyota echoed all these sentiments with the following statement:

“Toyota Motorsport does not approve of any behaviour which could be seen to damage Formula 1’s image, in particular any behaviour which could be understood to be racist or anti-Semitic. Senior figures within any sport or business, including motorsport, must adhere to high standards of behaviour. When all the facts are known, it will be for the FIA to decide whether Mr Mosley has met the moral obligations which come with the position of FIA President.”

If all this were not enough, the Crown Prince of Bahrain, Sheikh Salman Bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, has requested that Mr. Mosley not attend this weekend’s Grand Prix in Bahrain.

With the silence now broken, voices in the sport (respected and otherwise) are speaking out, calling for Mosley’s resignation.  Against the growing momentum of disconent, there is not a voice of support for Mosley to be heard.

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Hell of a way to start a Monday morning if you’re Max Mosley - finding out that you’re the subject of a sex scandal involving Nazi-themed escapades and several professional ‘ladies.’ Not exactly how the President of the FIA probably expected his week to start.

Of the legions of public figures who one might think of when discussing sex scandals, Max is not at the top of my list. Still, the UK based tabloid, News of the World is claiming just such a thing and they seem to have photographic proof. Stills of the event can be found on their website for those with inquiring minds.

There are serious consequences if this story has any legs to it and there are three things that will make surviving this situation even more difficult for Mosley: Nazis, political enemies and the FIA anti-racism campaign.

First, Max is the son of Oswald Mosley, the leader of the British Fascist Union before World War 2. Given this, he should know that not only is dressing up as a Nazi and humiliating women ‘prisoners’ in grossly poor taste, it’s going to bring his family past straight to the forefront. The perception will be that, “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” or something to that effect. Mosley has already stated that his family’s political past has prevented him from entering British politics. Surely he would know to steer clear of anything that could be associated with it.

Second, like any politician good at his game, Mosley has enemies aplenty. Present and former team owners, national sporting (ASN) presidents and European Union politicians all come to mind. They can all smell the blood in the water from a wounded political foe and will start circling for the kill. The demands for Max’s resignation will start within weeks, if not days, and they will be joined by others who will simply take advantage of a political opportunity. With reelection in October, Mosley is especially vulnerable.

Finally, Mosley’s own over-zealous reaction to racist behavior in Spain against McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton will certainly come back to haunt him. How hypocritical - The FIA President threatens Spain with the loss of one or both of it’s races because of racism from fans at the tracks and then he allegedly dons a Nazi uniform for a sexual romp with prostitutes masquerading as concentration camp prisoners. If true, the audacity is unbelievable!

The coming days and weeks will prove interesting for those who delight in watching a politician in survival mode. Mosley has an uphill struggle and he has shackled himself with imagery that is not easily forgivable. Should he survive, it might well be his biggest political achievement which is a shame given some of the good work he has done in the areas of road and racing safety.

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Most people by now know of the sudden and unexpected decision by ITV to cut short it’s F1 broadcasting contract. Understandably, the ITV staff in front of the cameras are dismayed and concerned about their futures. However, while ITV have consistently improved the show over the past 12 years, there has been one really standout personality and yet his fate remains in doubt for reasons that may have nothing to do with TV contracts.

Martin Brundle, the driver’s driver who provides commentary with the oft hysterical James Allen could be out of a job because of political pressure being applied by the FIA. To understand the reasons why a top commentator who has continually been recognized for his broadcasting excellence (six Royal Television Awards) could be pushed out of the broadcast booth, you have to go back to September 2007 and the political scandal that was casting a shadow over Formula 1.

Brundle, as a member of the press, wrote in his Sunday Times column that the investigation of McLaren by the FIA, ‘had the feel of a witch hunt.’ The FIA, with all the indignant self righteousness of the Spanish Inquisition chose to take legal action against the Sunday Times and Brundle for libel. The suit has been seen as a warning to Brundle and other journalists to consider carefully their criticism of the FIA and it’s decisions less their credentials be revoked - no small threat to most journalists’ careers.

One must wonder if the new BBC contract will come with any strings concerning Brundle. Of course, there is no obligation for the BBC to hire Brundle - they are well within their rights to use BBC veterans but why not have one of the sharpest and capable men in the commentary box. Hiring Brundle would be a move supported by his legions of fans in the UK and abroad and provide continuity for viewers. In short, it would be a sensible decision.

But, given the political machinations that FIA President Max Mosley has orchestrated in the past, it’s not outside the realm of possibility to believe that the early exit of ITV has presented Mosley with an opportunity to get rid of a nagging thorn in his ass. How difficult would it be for the FIA to insist that the BBC specifically exclude Brundle? Mosley has increasingly resented criticism of his governance and attacked no less an icon than Sir Jackie Stewart for similar views on the McLaren inquiry.

As a fan of F1 who, like most, watches the majority of the races on television, I would like to see Martin Brundle picked up by the BBC. He has shown a depth of knowledge shared by few (just watch a Speed broadcast) and the brass knockers to question the powerbrokers of the sport on live TV.

In fact, I feel so strongly that the BBC should approach Martin that I have become politically active and created an online petition to that effect. If you feel that Martin Brundle is the ideal candidate to join the BBC to cover F1 next season please join me by signing an online petition here.

Take that Max Mosley!

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/martinbrundle

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