The saying, “There’s no place like home” might be an overused cliche’ but it’s true nonetheless. I’ve been away from the keyboard for several weeks thanks to a fantastic trek across parts of Europe - all in the name of motor sports. Life is good and yes, I do consider myself very fortunate. I’ll write at length about some parts of the journey: Goodwood; Brooklands and the Nurburgring, in the coming weeks. Currently I’m working on some other writing projects and trying to catch up on a lot of errands that have been neglected in my absence.

One thing I would like to make mention of is a new location to check out some of my Formula 1 writing. I’ve begun writing for a website based in Vancouver, Canada called Suite101. Under their sports section you can find me busily churning out articles. Currently I’m putting together a short series on the current group of Formula 1 Constructors - a short of Coles notes to get people up to speed on who the players are in F1 and how they got there. I hope you’ll check it out. You can find my work here.

It looks like a bit has happened since I’ve been gone and warrants a mention. Lewis seems to be building some momentum as we get into the second half of the season. While there was a brief log jam in the drivers championship, I suspect it might become a bit of a one-horse race if Ferrari can’t turn it around.

Also, Max got his day in court and while he might feel vindicated, he should still put the sport ahead of his galactic-sized ego. We all know he won’t. In fact, I’ll go so far as to speculate that he won’t step down in October of 2009 as he promised. He’ll either stay on because ‘people’ have begged him to or he’ll shift into a newly created position where he will continue his political machinations from the shadows. Autocrats never die, they just become more autocratic.

And, finally, there’s the Kimi Raikonnen retirement watch. A lot of ink is being wasted speculating on his impending curtain call. Despite his sub-par performances, I don’t think the Kimster is ready to walk away from all that Ferrari money just yet. But, if he does, you can be sure he’ll leave the decision until the last minute and keep the driver market simmering if not boiling.

That’s all for now, but regular posts will resume shortly.

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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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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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The Tyrrell P34 design inspired two men - Robin Herd and Max Mosley, both of March Engineering, for wildly different reasons. Herd felt there was definite benefit from the Tyrrell’s 6-wheel concept but that the four-wheels-at-the-front concept was a blind canyon. He reasoned that much of a car’s drag was actually from the enormous rear tires used in the 70’s. Employing 4 small front tires on two rear axles (four wheel drive) would, in his mind, be more effective.

Max Mosley, who at the time was the money man at March, saw the attention the P34 had generated and instantly saw a publicity coup for the cash strapped (and sponsor poor) team. When Herd mentioned he had an idea for a 6-wheeler, Mosley pushed for it to be developed and thus, the March 2-4-0 was born.

But where the P34 was born ready to race, the 2-4-0 was born ready for little more than photo ops. When the car was originally debuted to the press it was little more than a mock up. However, having made the cover of Autosport, the company now put all their effort into having the car ready for the track.

One of the serious roadblocks to getting the car ready was the complicated gearbox. The original design called for a very strong bespoke gearbox which the company could not afford to develop. Practicality intervened and the car was redesigned to use as many components from the team’s 761 F1 car as possible. The gearbox was also scaled back and in the end was not as strong as intended in the original design.

Unfortunately, the gearbox failed after only a handful of laps, leaving the car powered by only a single axle. Due to rain and a wet track during testing, the car’s poor performance was masked. Further attempts to race the six-wheeler amounted to some practice runs during the 1977 Brazilian GP weekend and then the project was shelved - at least as far as F1 was concerned.

The 2-4-0 gained a second life of sorts in the world of hillclimbs. Driver Roy Lane found success by converting his March 771 to a 2-4-0 by using the original March gearbox and other 6 wheeler components.

Perhaps the greatest success (definitely the most lucrative) for the March 2-4-0 was far away from the track, the asphalt track at least. Mosley pulled off a coup by selling Scalextric (the company that popularized slot car racing) on the car and they produced a best selling 1/32 scale slot car of the 2-4-0.

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