Hot Seat
with Max Mosley - FIA.
F1 Racing, December 1996.

Q: How do you look back on 1996?
A: It was a very interesting year. We did not have any serious accidents, the new safety regulations have proven their value and the world championship outcome was only decided during the final grand prix of the year.

Q: Do you care more about roadcar safety than F1?
A: Frankly speaking, yes. Because the FIA car safety programme might prevent up to 90,000 injuries and deaths on the roads each year.

Q: Is the everyday car still benefitting from F1?
A: In a way - certainly concerning safety. For example, the cockpit head protection introduced this year could be used on children's car seats.

Q: How long do you hope to remain FIA president?
A: I'm working towards re-election in 1997. But at the end of that term, in the year 2001, I want to stop, to make room for another generation.

Q: Will pay-tv rid the public of free GP coverage?
A: No. We will definitely continue to give free access to F1 coverage on public or commercial networks, with additional pay-TV for the keen insiders.

Q: Will there be a total ban on tobacco publicity?
A: In my opinion there is only a 50 per cent chance of a total ban on tobacco publicity and sponsoring.

Q: What is your ideal number of GPs in a season?
A: Sixteen is ideal, but we might increase that to 18, in order to have additional races in Asia or North America. Nine GPs in Europe may seem out of the global balance, but there are historical reasons and I don't expect it to change much.