Mosley is determined to defend himself and the Federation against Fota

Max Mosley has hinted he will resist calls to quit as president of the FIA and instead stand for re-election as the row engulfing Formula 1 goes on.

Mosley indicated last year, in the wake of the revelations into his private life, that his current mandate - which expires in October - would be his last.

But in the wake of his dispute with the Formula 1 Teams' Association he says he would be happy to run for a fifth term.

"It is for the FIA membership to decide on its elected leader," he said.

"Over recent weeks it has become increasingly clear that one of the objectives of the dissident teams is that I should resign as president of the FIA.

"Last year you offered me your confidence and, as I wrote to you on 16 May 2008, it was my intention not to seek re-election in October this year.

F1 MOLE BLOG More and more details of the behind-the-scenes shenanigans have come out, and they make interesting reading

"However, in light of the attack on the mandate you have entrusted to me, I must now reflect on whether my original decision not to stand for re-election was indeed the right one.

"It is for the FIA membership, and the FIA membership alone, to decide on its democratically elected leadership, not the motor industry and still less the individuals the industry employs to run its Formula 1 teams."

Formula 1's governing body and Fota have become embroiled in an increasingly bitter feud over Mosley's presidency and his plans for the 2010 season, which include budgetary and technical changes that have been met with opposition by Ferrari, Brawn GP, McLaren, Red Bull, BMW Sauber, Toyota, Renault and Toro Rosso.

It led to those eight teams - under the umbrella of Fota - to threaten to quit Formula 1 and establish a rival series next season - a move that Mosley claims "is an attack on the FIA's right to regulate its Formula One world championship".

"But, worse," adds Mosley in a letter written on Tuesday and addressed to all FIA member clubs, obtained by BBC Sport, "it is a wholly unjustified criticism of, and direct challenge to, the entire structure and purpose of the FIA.

It is extraordinary that at a time when all five manufacturers involved are in great financial difficulty and relying on taxpayers money, their Formula 1 teams should threaten a breakaway series Max Mosley

"No president of the FIA could allow this to go unanswered.

"We are also preparing legal proceedings in case these are needed to protect the FIA's rights in its championship and to discourage any dissident Formula One team from engaging in illegal acts."

It is likely those writs will now be processed after Wednesday's planned meeting of the World Council.

Explaining the reasoning behind his battle with Fota, Mosley added: "A reduction in costs is essential if the independent teams are to survive.

"Without the independent teams, the championship would depend entirely on the car manufacturers who, of course, have always come and gone as it suited them.

"It is extraordinary that at a time when all five manufacturers involved are in great financial difficulty and relying on taxpayers money, their Formula 1 teams should threaten a breakaway series in order to avoid reducing their Formula 1 costs.

"It remains to be seen whether the boards of the parent companies will allow precious resources to be wasted in this way."

However, Fota - to date - have proved united and defiant in the face of Mosley, with various Fota members confirming at the British Grand Prix a number of teams and circuits had been in contact, underlining the level of interest in a breakaway movement.

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