Stoddart calls for FIA's Mosley to resign

Minardi boss Paul Stoddart has called for the resignation of Max Mosley, head of Formula One's governing body (FIA), following Sunday's US Grand Prix fiasco.

"There is no question in my mind that the farce that occurred at Indianapolis was the responsibility of the FIA president, Max Mosley, and compounded by the lack of support from (Ferrari boss) Jean Todt," he said in a statement.

"Mosley refused to accept any of the solutions offered and that refusal was, I believe, politically motivated. Therefore, I feel he failed in his duty, and that is why I have called for his resignation," said Stoddart.

Sunday's race went ahead with just six cars after the seven Michelin teams, subsequently charged by the International Automobile Federation with "acts prejudicial to the interests of motor sport", refused to race on tyre safety grounds.

The FIA has blamed Michelin and the teams - Renault, McLaren, Williams, Toyota, BAR, Sauber, Red Bull - and said they should have run at reduced speeds. All the teams could face sanctions after being summoned to a meeting in Paris next week.

In a lengthy personal account of what happened over the weekend, Stoddart said Mosley told team bosses he would cancel the grand prix if any attempt was made to add a chicane before the final corner.

Stoddart said nine of the 10 teams were then prepared to stage a non-championship race, without Ferrari, to ensure the crowd were entertained.

That too, he said, was ruled out by Mosley after discussions with Formula One's commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone and others including McLaren boss Ron Dennis.

Minardi competed in the race after Jordan, also privately-owned and on the same Bridgestone tyres, said they would be doing so and after the Japanese tyre maker asked them to do so as well.

Stoddart said he would have pulled his cars out immediately had the Jordans retired.