How things change in the space of a week. Especially The Telegraph’s editorial line on Max Mosley, it seems.
On March 31 this is what its Formula One correspondent Kevin Garside wrote about his recent troubles:
Max Mosley: sinned against?
Hats off to Max Mosley, I say… You might want to question Mosley’s personal predilections, but whose was the greater sin, his for acting out his fantasies in private, or a publication’s that sought to make capital out of a lewd exposure? That, rather than Mosley’s private fancies, caused the greater offence.
[snip]
This was a private matter, a trade between consenting adults in which no law was broken. It was not meant for public consumption, therefore there is no case to answer. Quietly, after the giggles had died down, there was a degree of machismo respect for the old boy. Would that we all have the same appetite as we approach the pipe and slippers. Read full piece here…
We said at the time that we thought this piece was ridiculous and we still do. And so, on reflection, must Mr Garside’s editors. One week later, and here is the paper’s changed tune:
Max Mosley’s time is running out at FIA
…Eight days ago, Mosley became a problem. Yesterday that problem acquired a terminal flavour that unless treated urgently could bring Ecclestone’s house down as well as Mosley’s. Ecclestone has privately accepted his old comrade has to go, but was hoping he would not be required to handle the instrument of execution. Now, he has no choice.
The paddock is awash with public silence. Behind the refusal to comment, private indignation rages – particularly in F1’s commercial community.
[snip]
Ecclestone is in daily contact with Mosley’s London bunker. After the latest disclosures Ecclestone was back on the blower yesterday morning to test the temperature. He was told there was no change in Mosley’s position. Rome burns while Max thinks he still has a position to defend.
According to one source, Mosley’s deepening madness led to a barrage of insults against the people of Bahrain delivered in a telephone exchange with Ecclestone after receiving the letter inviting him not to darken the paddock door in Sakhir. Ecclestone was in the presence of the crown prince at the time, who it is believed heard every word. Mosley later called back to apologise to his majesty in person. What a mess. Read full story here…
Clearly the paper is no longer in a mood to flog dead horses, not even when they have a taste for it…