Mosley announced earlier this month he would step down from the position he has held for ten years in October.
However, after a meeting on Friday with the FIA Senate – the motorsport governing body’s senior board – Mosley said he would stay on until his term of office ran out in October 2005.
Said an FIA statement: “At a meeting immediately following the FIA Extraordinary General Assembly on July 1, the FIA Senate unanimously called on Max Mosley to rescind his decision to step down in October 2004 and to continue in office at least until the end of his mandate in October 2005.
“The Senate informed Mr Mosley that his early departure would damage the interests of the FIA.
“The FIA Senate met in London and were informed by Max Mosley that he had received approaches from all sections of the FIA making the same points as the Senate and even going as far as to say that it would be irresponsible for him to step down this year. Accordingly, he feels bound to accede to the Senate’s request. He expressed his thanks for the confidence shown in him both by the Senate and the full membership of the FIA.”
The decision may at least in part be due to the fact there remains no obvious successor to Mosley. Jean Todt, the Ferrari, team boss who Mosley is believed to favour as his replacement recently confirmed he would not quit his contract with the car firm early. He is contracted to them until 2006.
