Stewart - Mosley should resign

Stewart: damage

The longer he stays then the more damage is being done.

Sir Jackie Stewart
Quotes of the week

Sir Jackie Stewart has called on FIA president Max Mosley to "do the honourable thing" and resign after continuing allegations about his private life.

Mosley said on Friday he was taking legal action against the News of the World after the allegations were made last Sunday.

A number of motoring associations affiliated to the FIA and manufacturers involved in Formula One have questioned Mosley's decision to continue in the role.

The newspaper has continued its pursuit of Mosley, with more allegations made this weekend.

And, three-times world champion Stewart has now joined the list of those explicitly calling on the 67-year-old to resign.

"It is time Max Mosley did the honourable thing and resigned," Stewart, a long-time adversary of Mosley, told the tabloid.

"There is not an organisation in the world, be it a public corporation or the FA or the PGA, that would allow this to dribble on.

"Does Max not realise that what he did was offensive to lots of people?

"The longer he stays then the more damage is being done.

"Under any normal circumstances Max should retire for the future of the sport and its good name.

"It's no longer a private matter. Had it not got into the public domain, I dare say Max could have continued as president of the FIA.

"But it's now untenable for that to happen, because he is president of a global federation that services different cultures, different religions and different morals in different parts of the world."

AAA demand

The American Automobile Association, the world's largest motoring organisation with more than 50 million members, is demanding Mosley stand down "in the best interests of all concerned".

A statement issued by Yolanda Clark Cade, managing director of AAA public relations, read: "Recent events involving the leadership of the FIA have been very distressing and embarrassing.

"Whilst this matter may be viewed as private by some, the damage to the image of the FIA and its constituents is clearly public.

"For an organisation, and its leader, to exercise the moral authority required to represent millions of motorists and sanction the activities of motorsport they must uphold the highest standards of ethical behaviour.

"AAA recognises Mr Mosley has dedicated many years of his life to advancing the interests of mobility and motorsport.

"However, after careful consideration, AAA has conveyed to Mr Mosley that it would be in the best interest of all concerned if he were to step down."