Max Mosley's survival as president of the FIA in the face of worldwide ridicule surrounding his personal life is testimony to the power and ruthlessness of a man who has never shied from controversy.

During his 15-year tenure at the forefront of global motorsport he has been accused of needlessly meddling with the rules of Formula One in a bid to stop the bigger teams dominating the sport; has made enemies of some of the leading characters in the pitlane including McLaren's Ron Dennis; claimed Lewis Hamilton was nothing special, and called three-times world champion Sir Jackie Stewart, one of the most admired drivers in the sport's history, a "certified half-wit."

But in his fourth term of office, the 68-year-old who mainly operates at the business end of the sport came to the wider public's attention and under scrutiny like never before, when a Sunday newspaper alleged he had taken part in a "Nazi-style orgy" with prostitutes.

Mosley apologised for causing any embarrassment but denied his actions had any Nazi connotations, and later launched legal action against the newspaper. He also made it clear, right from the start, that he was determined to continue in his role.

But after initially supporting Mosley, F1's commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone later declared his friend of 40 years "should go out of responsibility for the institution he represents" and virtually every Formula One team called for him to stand down.

Considering the nature of the allegations, it was pointed out that a senior figure in any other public office or international company would have conceded their position had become untenable. Not so Mosley, who claimed it was "harmless and completely legal".

The revelations particularly carried added weight as his father is former MP Oswald Mosley, who was the leader of the British Union of Fascists in the 1930s.

Since the scandal broke Mosley has tried to keep a low profile but was almost immediately shunned by Sheikh Salman Hamad Al-Khalifa, the Crown Prince of Bahrain, who wrote to him to tell him he was not welcome in his country for the grand prix.

He also kept away from races in Barcelona and Turkey but decided to show up to last month's Monaco Grand Prix. Royalty, dignitaries and everyone who was anyone went to extraordinary lengths to avoid meeting him, even employing spotters to make sure their paths never crossed.

A charmer on the outside, Mosley has a sharp mind and a cutting temper. There are plenty of stories of the FIA chief erupting behind the scenes, of anger unleashed at those who dared to cross him. He would have pursued a career in politics had he not been advised against it because of his family history - he was once described as the best prime minister the Conservative party never had.

Instead he chose a career in law, after gaining a degree in physics from Oxford University, and went on to become a barrister. And it was his legal - as well as political - background that helped him shape the future of F1.

As Ecclestone's lawyer during a bitter dispute within the sport in the early 1980s, Mosley played a key role in drafting the Concorde Agreement that settled the issue and still governs F1 today.

By 1991, Mosley had become president of the sporting arm of the FIA. And two years later, he was elected president of the whole federation - just as the sport was about to enter a time of crisis.

During qualifying for the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix at Imola, Roland Ratzenberger smashed head-on into a crash barrier and died from his injuries.

The three-time world champion Ayrton Senna was also killed when he careered into a concrete wall during the race the following day.

Mosley put safety first after the duo's deaths and set about bringing in wide-ranging changes to make F1 much safer.

He announced in July 2004 that he intended to quit at the end of that season, saying that he found discussions with team owners increasingly tedious but he subsequently decided to stay on after the FIA senate asked him not to step down.

Mosley also had public rows with Ecclestone, although many F1 insiders believe these were just part of a well-crafted plan to strengthen their control over the sport.

But whatever team owners, manufacturers and F1 fans may have thought of them, few would dispute that the pair formed a brilliant and powerful alliance.

The sport is now bracing itself for the reaction to a decision that some have described as a disappointing day for F1.

In all probability most will be hoping Moseley continues to keep a low profile until his term of office runs out next year but don't bank on him stepping down.

As Ecclestone warned earlier today: "The problem is, if he stays until 2009, he will run again. I am 100 per cent certain about that; no, one million per cent certain."

Mixed reaction about the great survivor

STIRLING MOSS (British motor racing great)
"I don't understand what Max was doing but I feel sorry for him because I think he was set up, which is inexcusable. I like the man, he's done a wonderful job, not only for the world of motor sport but also for the world of motoring."

EDDIE JORDAN (former F1 team boss)
"I still think he should go. My hope is he will think about the damage. This is not a moral issue, it's a practical one. There are a lot of countries where F1 goes that are run by rulers who don't want to deal with him."

GUIDO VAN WOERKOM (Royal Dutch Touring Club)
"If the next president is a purely sport man, then that will end the co-operation between the mobility and sport clubs in the FIA. The main issue is if he is credible to represent us and I don't think if you behave like he did you are a credible man."

DAMON HILL (F1 champion 1996)
"As president of the British Racing Drivers' Club trying to safeguard the future of the British Grand Prix, we need the FIA to help us protect our position. It's very difficult when you have a president as controversial as Max."