Over the last few weeks, we have seen much ink spilled over Mosley and his politically-incorrect and lustful digressions. With so many within motorsports and the general auto industry calling for his resignation, the question of him stepping down seems only a matter of time. (And if I dare editorialize, the sooner the better.) However, The FIA has some serious problems... and not all of them have to do with Mosley. Here are some of the most pressing problems as I see it.

The Bernie Factor

Now that Max is (almost) gone, Bernie Ecclestone will have lost his most loyal ally. In Max's term as FIA President, Bernie has developed Formula One into a most profitable business. Yet, he has also done this with little or no oversight from the FIA. This means that Bernie and his Formula One Group, as the sole concessioner for the FIA, have never been challenged in how their sport is marketed, developed, and presented. A new president who is not as close to Bernie might have some serious questions about this and the relationship between the FIA and Bernie in general.

Also, Ecclestone is 77 years old. Even with the CVC Capital Partners practically owning the Formula One Group, it's Bernie who negotiates with the teams, tracks, partners, and the FIA on a day-to-day basis. With his family showing little to no interested in carrying on in the Formula One business, it will be up to the majority shareholders of the CVC Capital Partners to decide what is next. Can an investment group bring together the teams, races, and others stuff like Bernie has over the last three decades? Hard to say, it's a tall order. This is literally the billion dollar question. Replacing Max is relatively easy compared to replacing Bernie.

In the coming years we will see a transition out of the Bernie/Max era into an uneasy situation between an investment bureaucracy and a regulatory bureaucracy. The new FIA President will have to work through this situation and not only fill some of the power vacuum left by Max but perhaps a little of bit of Bernie as well.

How much should the FIA President be involved on a daily basis in Formula One?

There is more to the FIA than just Formula One. As the world motor sports authority, they are responsible for numerous race series along with crash testing vehicles in the EU. For the length of Max's term, there was no doubt that Formula One was on or near the top of his agenda at the FIA.

However, a different president might have different priorities. If anything the new President might turn over the regulatory authority of Formula One to a subordinate as he focuses on the other priorities of the FIA. If not, can the new president really focus as much time on Formula One as Max did and still run an effective organization?

With the time commitment needed for the FIA's other activities, we might see a less active FIA President in Formula One. This is something that might be a good thing for Formula One. The sport might rather see an effectively run governing body instead of a broken bureaucracy whose President is a constant fixture (and a meddler) in Formula One politics. Whoever is selected as the next President will have to dictate this relationship.

Repair relationships and trust with manufactures and teams

The teams in Formula One and in the greater auto world in general have had a little bit of a peptic relationship with Mosley... and not all have to do with the political slant of Max's wanton desires. In a position that is supposed to be an impartial adjudicator of rules and regulations, Mosley has been anything but that. You only need to look at the excessive nature of the Spygate scandal last year to know about the inequality in the sport among the different teams and manufactures. It is obvious that there is clear favoritism within the FIA for a certain team(s). (*cough*Ferrari*cough*) Restoring trust in the FIA among all the teams is going to be a tough challenge.

The FIA can start by actually listening. Increasingly, this decade, the FIA have listened less and less to the teams and manufactures of Formula One in terms of new rules and regulations. Things like the engine freeze and the new gearbox regulations are things that were forced onto teams by the FIA for no real apparent reason. Reforming the rule making and enforcement within the sport is absolutely critical. Actually listening to the teams themselves is a needed first step.

The strength to change

Whoever succeeds Mosley is in for a tough job. Mosley leaves behind an organization that is buried in bureaucrats, needless process, and incompetence. The examples of this from even the last year is staggering: the marshals acting like the keystone cops at every race, the fuel temperature fiasco from Brazil, and the safety car period at Fuji... just to name a few. The way the FIA has tried to address these problems has been haphazard at best.

The lackadaisical and inconstant way the FIA regulates Formula One is troubling to teams, organizers, and fans alike. Any new President faces a massive challenge to change the culture of the FIA. Also, a new President has to have the strength and backing of the FIA members to reform the organization into an effective governing body. It will not be an easy task, many will fight change tooth and nail, but it is absolutely critical.

Max's broken legacy...

There is no doubt that over the last few decades Max has had a significant impact on the FIA and Formula One. To be honest, there has been some good. However, Max has created, glossed over, or ignored some very serious problems in the organization. In turn, these problems have led to a situation where the governing body is viewed by many to be one of the fighters in the ring instead of the referee of the fight.

Above all else, bringing professionalism and impartiality will help stabilize the sport from the recent upheaval. It will lead to new fans that won't look at Formula One as a bunch of drama queens. It will led to more advertisers who look at F1 as a sound, stable, and long term investment. Plus, it will bring more manufactures and teams to the sport who will finally feel that everyone will have an equal chance to succeed. In order for this to happen, a strong successor to Max must be chosen who will face these reality of the FIA and Formula One square on.

The long needed changes to the FIA have been neglected under Max. Let's hope whoever the new President is has the gumption to make positive changes that will not only make a positive impact on Formula One, but world motor sports and motor industry.