Mosley agrees to see out term

Max Mosley, the president of motorsport's governing body, the FIA, who was to have stepped down in October 2004, will now run to the end of his scheduled term of office in October 2005, it was announced yesterday.

Max Mosley, the president of motorsport's governing body, the FIA, who was to have stepped down in October 2004, will now run to the end of his scheduled term of office in October 2005, it was announced yesterday.

Less than a month after Mosley bid an almost tearful pre-farewell, at the French Grand Prix in Magny-Cours, he told the FIA senate - which comprises eight of the most senior FIA members representing member clubs covering both motor sport and general motoring activities - he would, after all, extend his presidency.

Mosley is thought to have announced his intention to retire a year early after assessing the growing levels of opposition to his aggressive and forthright manner of running the sport.

Among his strongest detractors was Jacques Régis, the president of the French sporting authority FFSA and also the organiser of the French Grand Prix.

Immediately after informing his colleagues of his intentions Mosley was prevailed upon by the FIA senate to rescind his decision in order to avoid damaging the FIA's interests.

Yesterday in London he finally informed a meeting of the FIA senate that he "feels bound to accede" to its request, according to an official statement.

One of the Formula One team principals commented: "The only message this sends out is that the FIA is in a state of disorganisation, and that alternative candidates must have been demanding too much."