Ringmaster Ecclestone calls for disgraced Mosley to be axed but Bernie doesn't want control

But yesterday, Ecclestone, the sport's financial powerbroker, issued a stinging letter to the 222 presidents of the FIA clubs, who will decide Mosley's fate at a special meeting in Paris on June 3, insisting that the governing body must be run by "a credible and respected" leader.

Bernie Ecclestone in contemplation in the paddock at the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix circuit, in Monaco

Ecclestone was responding to Mosley's own letter to the clubs last week in which he told them that he is the only man who can rescue F1 from an impending financial crisis.

He had hinted that Ecclestone was trying to destabilise the FIA in order to take over the regulation of the sport himself and remove the FIA veto over who can buy the sport's commercial rights.

But in a direct rebuttal of Mosley's claims, Ecclestone wrote: "The CRH (commercial rights holder) does not wish to have control over the F1 regulations.

"We believe that the FI regulations should be drawn up by the F1 technical and sporting working groups, subject to the approval of the FIA Formula One commission and the FIA world motor sport council."

Of the commercial situation, Ecclestone said: "They do not need to be altered or renegotiated unless both parties wish to do so."

Effectively, Ecclestone is accusing Mosley of misleading the FIA to save his skin, a blow considering the two have been friends for 40 years. It makes a controversial backdrop to the glamorous Monaco race, for which Britain's McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton will be favourite after an impressive performance in practice.

If Ecclestone's version of events is to be believed, it will reinforce a perception that Mosley's letter was a diversion from his own problems to garner support.

The result of the June 3 vote is difficult to call but a wellplaced source yesterday indicated that Mosley is expected to carry the day.

Even his most vocal critic, Sir Jackie Stewart, has placed a £100 bet that Mosley stays on. Yesterday Mosley, 68, was keeping a low profile again. He did not even venture into the paddock from his control tower above the track.

The Monaco royal family have made it clear that they do not wish to entertain him. Although Mosley's camp claimed he might make a surprise appearance on the grid tomorrow, it is understood that the Grimaldi family would take a dim view of such a move and, therefore, he is likely to remain under the radar.

An FIA spokesman tried to play down the impact of Ecclestone's comments, saying: "We welcome the constructive approach that the commercial rights holder is now taking in the current negotiations."