Max Mosley: Former Formula 1 boss and privacy campaigner dies aged 81

Former F1 boss Max Mosley famously sued the News Of The World in 2008 after the newspaper printed allegations about his sex life.

Monday 24 May 2021 19:40, UK

FIA president Max Mosley arrives in the paddock before during the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, Northamptonshire. Read less Picture by: Martin Rickett/PA Archive/PA Images Date taken: 21-Jun-2009 Image size: 1239 x 1740
Image: Max Mosley has died, aged 81
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Former Formula 1 boss and privacy campaigner Max Mosley has died after suffering from cancer, aged 81.

Ex-F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone confirmed the news, saying he died on Sunday.

"He was like family to me," Mr Ecclestone said. "We were like brothers. I am pleased in a way because he suffered for too long."

Bernie Ecclestone & Max Mosley at the Monaco Grand Prix in 2005. Pic: Alan Davidson/Shutterstock
Image: Bernie Ecclestone and Mr Mosley pictured at the Monaco Grand Prix in 2005. Pic: Alan Davidson/Shutterstock
(From the left) Steve Coogan, Hugh Grant and Max Mosley give evidence to the Joint Committee on Privacy and Injunctions at Portcullis House, London.
Image: Mr Mosley (right) gave evidence about privacy alongside Steve Coogan and Hugh Grant

As well as his years serving as one of the leading figures at the top of the motorsport world, Mr Mosley was also known for his campaigning efforts to strengthen press regulation.

He famously took the News Of The World to court in 2008 after the newspaper printed allegations about his private life, successfully suing its publisher after it wrongly reported he had attended a "Nazi-themed" sex party.

In 2011, the newspaper was shut down by owner Rupert Murdoch after the revelation that it had intercepted the voicemails of celebrities, crime victims and members of the Royal Family, and Mr Mosley later gave financial backing to the court costs of claimants in some newspaper phone hacking cases.

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Born in London on 13 April 1940, Mr Mosley was the youngest son of 1930s British fascist leader Sir Oswald Mosley.

Educated at Oxford, he was a racing driver, a team owner and a lawyer before becoming president of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the governing body for Formula 1, in 1993, following previous administrative roles in motorsport. He served four terms as president before standing down in 2009.

Paying tribute, an F1 spokesperson said: "We are saddened to hear that Max Mosley, former FIA President, has passed away. A huge figure in the transition of Formula 1. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time."

Max Mosely (left), President of the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), converses with Formula One racer Niki Lauda of Austria at the Audi party in Kitzbuehel in 2003. Pic: AP
Image: Pictured with Formula 1 racer Niki Lauda in 2003. Pic: AP
Sir Oswald And Lady Mosley And Son Max. Pic: Tom Braithwaite/ANL/Shutterstock
Image: A young Max Mosley pictured with his parents, Sir Oswald And Lady Mosley. Pic: Tom Braithwaite/ANL/Shutterstock

Mr Mosley and Mr Ecclestone were a close-knit double act, running the sport as it grew into a $1 billion business and pushing through much-needed safety measures.

In the wake of the death of Brazilian driver Ayrton Senna in 1994, Mr Mosley instituted widespread reform of safety in the sport. Two years later, in 1996, he led the FIA's successful campaign to modernise and strengthen EU crash test standards for the first time since 1974.

'Enemy of the free press': Max Mosley's impact on the tabloids has not been forgotten
'Enemy of the free press': Max Mosley's impact on the tabloids has not been forgotten

He received many government and industry awards, most notably the National de la Légion d'Honneur' in 2006, in recognition of his contribution to road safety and motorsport.

Current FIA president Jean Todt said in a statement posted on social media: "Deeply saddened by the passing of Max Mosley. He was a major figure in @F1 & motor sport. As @FIA President for 16 years, he strongly contributed to reinforcing safety on track & on the roads. The entire FIA community pays tribute to him. Our thoughts & prayers are with his family."