Formula 1: It's time to short-circuit Mad Mosley's embarrassing sex drive

If the growth of accessibility of the internet has proved anything over the last ten years or so, it's that behind the veil of respectability that culture and morals afford us, sex is still a major driving force in most people's lives.

We may not talk about it, or advertise it to our friends and colleagues, but the volume of sex related searches and websites testifies to a huge "hidden" desire to read about, visualise and even partake in a wide variety of sexual practices.

BDSM, and related practices and imagery, is nothing new, and Max Molsey certainly isn't the first high profile figure to be caught enjoying its "delights". It certainly isn't most people's cup of tea but each to their own.

The sensationalist style of reporting the incident is nothing new for the gutter press, and quite frankly any celebrity would have to try a lot harder than being caught whipping five prostitutes to match the level of sordidness that the News of the World and it's weekly "sister" paper have stooped to over the years.

As such it would be easy to say that what he enjoys, however unusual, is completely his own business and does not affect his ability to do his job in the slightest. Unfortunately there are three keys reasons why this is not the case in this instance.

His first problem is that he, being a married man, has been caught engaging in sexual practices with five prostitutes. The FIA is an international body and needs to do business with, and in countries where, the more relaxed western attitude towards sex is frowned upon. Influential leaders and businesses in those countries will find it difficult to continue to work with him for moral and religious reasons.

Secondly, the nature of the BDSM practices in this instance draw links from his own and his family's political past. It would be pretty ludicrous to say that someone's sexual preferences are shaped by their political views, but the fact remains that both he and (in particular) his father were actively involved in the political far right/fascist movements.

He may have successfully managed to distance himself from this past to build a successful career in motorsport, but no way could his reputation survive headlines linking the surname Mosley with Nazi uniforms and concentration camps. It's simply too close to the bone to be ignored, and any protestations about his current political views (whatever they may be) are going to fall on deaf ears.

Finally, the world of motorsport and Formula 1 in particular are exceptionally political arenas in their own right, and Mosley has thrived in that environment. As with any political career he has trodden on plenty of toes over the years and made more than one or two enemies.

The nature of the allegations he faces makes it difficult for friends to support him, while offering easy ammunition for his enemies to beat him with. Bernie Ecclestone might have initially tried to be supportive but at the Grand Prix last weekend even he made it clear that he was willing to back calls for his resignation if that was the unaminous view of the team owners. In a political arena, nobody can afford to fly their flag from a sinking ship.

This triple whammy is too much for anyone to survive, and Mosley must know that the writing is on the wall. The best he can hope for is a short term reprieve allowing him to step down on his own terms rather than resigning in disgrace immediately.

The danger is that the longer he remains, the more damage is done, either through a period of stagnation or more directly through countries and businesses refusing to deal with the FIA.