Eh?

In this ITV-F1 story, Mad Max has opted to cancel his meeting with the Formula 1 drivers that was originally scheduled to happen this weekend at Silverstone.

I think a lot of people thought that the meeting was to discuss the drivers statement on Indianapolis. But according to Max Mosley the meeting was "to discuss the possibility of the FIA imposing safety measures at private test sessions equal to those in force at a Grand Prix."

But now Mad Max has decided to cancel because apparently according to him Coulthard has "now used the prospect of this meeting as a reason to air your personal views on current regulations to the press."

Now we all know that Coulthard had recently expressed his views regarding certain Sporting Regulations to The Times in London. And yes, you could expect a tyrant like Max Mosley to feel threatened and insecure about it. But I thought the issue to be discussed was the drivers statement. Where did this thing about private testing safety measures come about?

Perhaps Mad Max simply doesn't want to acknowledge the drivers' statement in public and used the private testing as the main issue instead.

But there are two points to consider here. One, as The Times article pointed out, the drivers are usually the last group anyone asks about the sporting and technical regulations. Second, the drivers more than anyone else should know more about safety and sporting issues. After all, they're the ones driving the bloody cars.

But we see again here evidence of Max Mosley's dictatorial style. The Times apparently hinted that Max Mosley may have tried to intimidate Coulthard. I quote: "The paddock at Magny-Cours was awash with rumour that Mosley had laid into Coulthard in a telephone conversation for leading the drivers to write a letter of support for the seven teams that backed Michelin and withdrew from the US Grand Prix last month. The FIA confirmed that Mosley and Coulthard had a “frank” exchange, but Mosley will now appear in front of the drivers on Friday afternoon at Silverstone before the British Grand Prix. The meeting is a chance for the drivers to ask Mosley if he tried to intimidate Coulthard and to put forward their grievances on a range of issues, such as those that emerged in France. "

But I suppose we can blame Coulthard for opening his big mouth before the meeting could take place. But perhaps Max Mosley didn't want to face the drivers that he had suggested race in Indianapolis with his ludicrous proposals and so concocted this press statement to avoid them.

The FIA have lost the support of the teams. Now they're losing support of the drivers as well. Or let me correct that, Max Mosley is losing their support. I'd like to think that he'll be removed soon but ever since his "resignation" last year and subsequent reinstatement as FIA president, he has been strengthening his position within the FIA. Removing him is not going to be easy. But surely the members can see that this man no longer holds any substantial mandate within the top level of motorsport.