The former president of the FIA Max Mosley has passed away

Max Mosley, born on April 13, 1940 in London, is an iconic figure in Formula 1, having held the position of President of the FIA from 1993 to 2009. He thus served four consecutive terms before handing over to Jean Todt. During these years, he worked closely with Bernie Ecclestone. The latter was the financial backer of Formula 1, until the championship was sold to Liberty Media in 2017.

Max Mosley was a Formula 2 driver for two years in the late 1960s. He worked as a lawyer but is known as one of the founders of the March team. In the 1970s, he became an important figure in the paddock, notably through the Formula One Constructors Association (FOCA). He eventually left the world of Formula 1 to pursue a political career. This was short-lived, and he made his return to F1 with the support of his partner Bernie Ecclestone and the president of the FIA, whom he would eventually succeed, Jean-Marie Balestre.

Mosley took to heart to focus on safety in Formula 1, especially since the tragic San Marino Grand Prix in 1994, with the deaths of Roland Ratzenberger and then Ayrton Senna at Imola during the same weekend. The Britishman’s tenure as head of the FIA was also marked by controversies that occurred in F1, particularly during his last term. The Spygate affair between Ferrari and McLaren, which led to a record fine of 100 million euros against the Woking team, can be mentioned. Max Mosley himself was the subject of a dark controversy in 2008 when News of the World revealed that the Briton had participated in Nazi orgies.

Mosley was a central figure in Formula 1 for over two decades, notably recognized as a pioneer in safety in F1. He continued his safety projects, being involved in the fight for road safety in the UK. Since stepping down from the presidency of the FIA, he still closely followed Formula 1, sharing his opinions and comments. He will forever remain a big name in the history of Formula 1.