Max Mosley, who announced at the beginning of the month he would be stepping down as FIA president in October, has had a change of heart and will stay in office at least until October 2005.

The International Automobile Federation said in a statement that the FIA Senate, consisting of eight of its most senior members, had met in London on Friday after calling on Mosley to stay in office at least until the end of his mandate in October next year.

The statement said that Mosley had told the Senate he had received approaches from all sections of FIA, motor racing's ruling body, and felt "bound to accede to the Senate's request."

It added: "He expressed his thanks for the confidence shown in him by both the Senate and the full membership of the FIA."