Bernie stands by sex-claim Mosley

by JONATHAN McEVOY

Last updated at 22:09 01 April 2008

Formula One ruler Max Mosley last night won the influential backing of Bernie Ecclestone after a lurid Sunday newspaper expose left him battling for his job.

While several senior

figures within the sport

privately questioned

how Mosley can continue

as FIA president, the man

who has worked closest

with him in transforming

F1 into a billion dollar

enterprise remained

loyal.

Reacting to

reports claiming that

Mosley — the son of

notorious fascist Sir

Oswald — enacted Nazi

death camp scenes with

five prostitutes, Ecclestone said: "I find it

difficult to believe. It's his

business but it sounds to

me like a set up. Has he in

anyway damaged F1? No."

Ecclestone also brushed

aside the Nazi overtones,

saying: "Knowing Max it

might be all a bit of a joke

rather than anything

against Jewish people."

The FIA could force a

vote of no-confidence in

Mosley. For now, he has

engaged his lawyers and

intends to be in Bahrain

for Sunday's grand prix,

dismissing all talk of

resignation.