D-Day for Mosley

Mosley has not denied the claims, published in the News of the World on March 31, but has since insisted what he did was "harmless and completely legal".

The 68-year-old faces a vote of confidence on Tuesday into whether he is fit to continue in a role he has held for 15 years - and one he is determined to see through to the end of his current mandate of October next year.

Mosley has strongly refuted the Nazi connotation implied in the article - while also fervently bemoaning the invasion of his privacy.

On this premise, he has launched a legal case against the Sunday tabloid in pursuit of clearing his name and claiming unlimited damages which, should he win, will be donated to charity.

An extraordinary hearing of the FIA's general assembly will sit in judgement on Mosley - and by all accounts, the vote would appear to be too close to call.

Up until a week ago Mosley supporters, and those close to him, were confident their man would win the secret ballot - to be held in the building adjacent to the headquarters of motorsport's governing body on the Place de la Concorde in Paris.

But in the intervening period, a groundswell of negativity has cast doubt. Last Wednesday, a heavyweight contingent of motoring associations wrote a letter to Mosley imploring him to resign - claiming the FIA is "in a critical situation. Its image, reputation and credibility are being severely eroded".

Less than 72 hours later, Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone for the first time publicly voiced his private thoughts, and called for Mosley to quit.

The FIA face potential anarchy if Mosley survives the vote, with a number of high-profile clubs likely to push for a breakaway faction.