Ecclestone sends Mosley a clear message

LONDON, England (CNN) -- Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has written to motor sport officials to reject claims by Max Mosley about his intentions, and turned the knife by suggesting the FIA needs a "credible and respected president."

Ecclestone penned the letter to FIA members after Mosley, its embattled president who faces a June 3 confidence vote following newspaper allegations about his sex life, claimed his company was seeking to increase its control over the sport.

Mosley had earlier written to the FIA's membership warning that if he resigned the sport's future was in jeopardy.

He was critical of Eccelstone's company, which owns the commercial rights to F1, saying it was seeking control over the sport's regulation and the right to sell the business to anyone.

Mosley warned this meant "in effect to take over Formula One completely," something that should not be accepted.

Ecclestone said he had been forced to write to the FIA's membership to clear up "misunderstandings and inaccurate conclusions."

"We support the FIA and recognize that it is, and should remain, the sole body governing international motor sport.

"The FIA's role in Formula One should be that of the sporting regulator, uninvolved in its commercial exploitation."

Ecclestone said his group would continue to "exclusively" manage the "commercial exploitation" of Formula One and would do so within the established contracts.

However, he said there were some "ambiguities" in the agreements that needed to be considered.

"We have sought discussions with the FIA president [Mosley] to clarify these points and to avoid unintended consequences.

"We have also raised with him a number of other issues which we considered would improve the agreements without damaging the FIA's interests, but we accept that is a matter for the FIA to judge."

Ecclestone said if the FIA considered the changes were against its interests, he "would be content" to leave the agreements in their present form.

He added that there was "no financial crisis" in F1 and that the sport was in "robust health."

"Revenues continue to grow, television ratings are high and demand from countries to promote a new grand prix continues to exceed the number of places on the calendar."

Ecclestone finished by saying that none of the matters had any bearing on the reasons for the June 3 meeting called to decide Mosley's future.

"You may be assured that whatever decision you should make on 3 June, we look forward to continuing our long-standing and constructive relationship with the FIA."

Meanwhile, Mosley Thursday made his first appearance at a grand prix since the UK's News of the World reported he had been in an orgy with Nazi-style role play.

He appeared in the paddock at Monaco, but said he was "too busy" to answer questions.

Mosley has continued to stand his ground, lobbying FIA members, and denies the orgy had Nazi-overtones. He is suing the newspaper for breach of privacy.

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