Mosley says F1 teams will not force him out

Motor racing chief Max Mosley made clear yesterday he would not be forced out of office by teams and car manufacturers threatening to set up their own Formula One championship.

In a combative letter to all member clubs, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) president indicated that he was minded instead to seek re-election as head of the governing body.

"Over recent weeks it has become increasingly clear that one of the objectives of the dissident teams is that I should resign," Mosley said in the letter seen by Reuters.

"However, in light of the attack on the mandate you have entrusted to me, I must now reflect on whether my original decision not to stand for re-election was indeed the right one," he said.

The FIA's 26-member world motor sport council, made up largely of national federations, is due to meet in Paris today with Formula One's threatened breakaway high on the agenda.

Mosley, who survived repeated calls for his resignation last year after a sex scandal, had said after a confidence vote in May 2008 that he would step down this October.

"It is for the FIA membership, and the FIA membership alone, to decide on its democratically elected leadership, not the motor industry and still less the individuals the industry employs to run its Formula One teams," he said.

Eight Formula One teams, including champions Ferrari, have said they are preparing to set up their own series after failing to resolve differences with the FIA on next year's rules and a planned budget cap.