The ruler of Bahrain has banned FIA president Max Mosley from the Kingdom’s Grand Prix this weekend, it has been reported.
According to the Times newspaper Bahrain’s Crown Prince wrote to Mosley to tell him it would be ‘inappropriate’ to be in the kingdom at this time.
Sheikh Salman Bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, the Crown Prince of Bahrain, wrote the letter after allegations about Mosley’s private life appeared in a Sunday newspaper.
Mosley, 67, is now fighting to save his career and is said to be locked in discussions with lawyers to assemble a case for invasion of privacy.
In the letter the Crown Prince allegedly wrote: ‘In the light of the allegations, I suspect you may be deliberating on your planned attendance at the Grand Prix here in Bahrain later in the week.
'I therefore felt it important to convey the position of Bahrain and its people. Clearly of paramount importance is the success of the event for all concerned – the Kingdom of Bahrain, Formula 1 and its spectators.
'The focus quite rightly should be on the race. With great regret I feel that under the current circumstances, it would be inappropriate for you to be in Bahrain at this time.’
Meanwhile it has been reported that BMW and Mercedes were putting more pressure on Mosley.
According to the BBC the German carmakers labelled allegations of bizarre sexual behaviour ‘disgraceful’.
They were understood to have been joined by Honda and Toyota in expressing disgust.