MANAMA, April 6, 2008 (AFP) - The build-up to Sunday´s Bahrain Grand Prix was overshadowed by a man who was not even at the circuit - Max Mosley.

As the teams prepared for the third race of the 2008 season and Pole Robert Kubica for his first pole position, the president of the sport´s ruling body, the International Motoring Federation (FIA) was the hot topic of gossip again.

Another extraordinary series of lurid allegations about Mosley´s private life in the News of the World made clear that the newspaper was not backing away from its claims that the 67-year-old Briton was involved in a Nazi-style perverted orgy with five prostitutes in London nine days earlier.

The newspaper also made clear it will send copies of the videotape at the centre of controversy to all members of the FIA so they can judge his activities for themselves.

Amid increasing pressure on Mosley to resign his FIA presidency over the revelations about his private life, the News of the World newspaper made further claims in its latest edition on Sunday.

In its editorial leader, the newspaper said: "We absolutely refute and challenge his assertion that we have invented any elements of his depravity.

"Which is why we plan to send copies of our video evidence to Senate members representing the global motor-racing community, which will decide on the future of the president.

"Their own statutes decree anyone who inflicts "moral injury" on the FIA by ´words, deeds or writings´ may be expelled."

Former Formula One driver Martin Brundle, who was locked in a legal battle with Mosley last year, added his voice to calls for Mosley to resign over the matter in his own column in The Sunday Times.

"The specific detail of the scandal surrounding him is largely irrelevant in my view," wrote Brundle. "The sporting regulation he has used over the years to keep teams in check relates to bringing the sport into disrepute.

"If you live by the sword you die by the sword. Sitting on the fence on this issue for any of us inside the sport is not an option. We must condone or condemn the situation he finds himself in.

"Mosley´s position is untenable. He would have received much more sympathy and understanding had he tendered his resignation last Monday morning. His stance has inflamed the situation and he could never now make a keynote speech or force through penalties or regulations with the necessary credibility - with the motoring associations, the teams, the car manufacturers, the sponsors, the fans, the media or the drivers."

Mosley has called an extraordinary meeting of the FIA general assembly to discuss the matter, and there is the possibility that a vote could take place at that meeting about whether or not he should carry on in his role.