Embattled FIA president Max Mosley says instead of resigning, he may seek re-election as head of world motor sport when the 120 members of the Federation meet in Paris tonight.
The 69-year-old Briton has come under renewed pressure to leave the job, as the row within the sport between the FIA and the F1 teams association FOTA deepens over proposed spending limits for next season.
In a letter sent to FIA members, a defiant Mosley said the campaign against him was making it more likely he would stay on: "In the light of the attack on the mandate you have entrusted to me, I must now reflect on whether my original decision not to stand for re-election was indeed the right one.
"This is an attack on the FIA's right to regulate its Formula 1 world championship, but worse, it is a wholly unjustified criticism of and direct challenge to the entire structure and purpose of the FIA," added Mosley, who has been in the post since 1993.
Wednesday's meeting in Paris will be an opportunity for member clubs to hear from F1 teams about their plan to break away from the FIA and set up a rival series, a proposal which has led to legal action being started against FOTA by the FIA.
Although writs against Ferrari and FOTA - which also includes McLaren, BMW Sauber, Renault, Toyota, Red Bull Racing, Toro Rosso and Brawn GP - were due to be served on Monday, the FIA is holding them back until after Wednesday's meeting.
After last year's high profile London court case when Mosley successfully sued the News of the World newspaper, he said he planned to step down in October 2009 at the end of his term as FIA president.
PARIS AFP
