Max Mosley has called on the FIA's member clubs to defend the independence of the Federation and appoint a "strong president".

FIA president Mosley fired off an angry letter to Luca di Montezemolo after being outraged by comments made by the Ferrari chief and FOTA chairman in the wake of this week's peace deal.

Following Wednesday's World Motor Sport Council meeting in Paris at which a breakaway series was averted, Di Montezemolo later described Mosley as "a dictator".

It resulted in Mosley demanding an apology from Di Montezemolo, but more crucially announcing he would now leave his options open after earlier confirming he would not stand for re-election once his current mandate ends in October.

Although Di Montezemolo did not apologise during the FOTA press conference at Bologna airport, it is understood he did reply privately to Mosley, stating his remarks were misunderstood.

Mosley, however, has again been forced to go on the offensive with a letter to all the presidents of the FIA member clubs.

The 69-year-old now feels aggrieved at comments made by Toyota Motorsport boss John Howett who yesterday called for any new FIA president to be independent.

The inference was a man such as Jean Todt, currently favourite, would not be an ideal candidate as Mosley's successor given his prior length of service with Ferrari

In the letter, a copy of which has been seen by PA Sport, Mosley writes that FOTA's comments on who should or should not be the next president is a "matter that concerns me greatly".

He adds: "The question of FIA president is a matter exclusively for you, the member clubs of the FIA, and most definitely not for the vehicle manufacturers who make up FOTA.

"To have an FIA president under the influence of the vehicle manufacturers would put at jeopardy all the excellent work our organisation and your clubs do in promoting better safety and environmental outcomes in the vehicle fleet.

"If nothing else, this attempt to tell FIA members who they should or should not elect demonstrates precisely why the FIA needs a strong president who is experienced and knowledgeable about motor sport, in particular Formula One, as well as general motoring interests.

"We must continue to defend the independence of the FIA, even if this leads to difficulties in the sport."

Mosley defended himself against suggestions FOTA forced him into not standing for re-election.

He added: "Unfortunately, some have sought to interpret this outcome as a backdown by the FIA and a coup by teams wishing to remove me from my post.

"There have even been claims I have ceased to fulfil my role as president, effective immediately. These claims are completely false.

"I will continue to fulfil my role as president up until, and including, our general assembly in October.

"For me to do otherwise would be to betray the support I received last year when my role as president was confirmed by FIA clubs at the extraordinary general assembly.

"In regard to the claims the FIA was somehow bullied into submission by teams, I can only again stress that the FIA achieved the two goals it set itself - that of very significantly reduced costs and additional teams."

Mosley has also written to the World Motor Sport Council to clarify matters, insisting FOTA's accusations led to the situation becoming "intolerable."

Far from the row being settled, Mosley suggests that "no doubt we face a difficult period", and that there may yet be a breakaway.

"This may well result in short-term problems in Formula One," added Mosley, who subsequently pours his own scorn on FOTA.

"It is possible FOTA will set up an independent series. That is their right, provided they do so under the International Sporting Code.

"But the Formula One world championship will continue to be run by the FIA as it has been for 60 years.

"The championship has had difficult times in the past, and no doubt will again in the future.

"But that is no reason to hand control to an outside body, still less one with little or no understanding of sporting ethics and under the control of an industry we have constantly to monitor."