Mosley led motorsport’s governing body from 1993 to 2009 and during his tenure oversaw work to reform and improve safety within motorsport.

Among Mosley’s other achievements at the helm of the FIA was leading a successful campaign for the governing body to be recognised by the International Olympic Committee in 1997.

Mosley previously worked as a barrister but spent much of his leisure time racing firstly sports cars and later in Formula Two.

After retiring from driving in 1969 he co-found car manufacturer March Engineering, overseeing the company’s legal and commercial matters.

Mosley was elected President of then governing body of Formula One Fédération Internationale du Sport Automobile in 1991, before leading the FIA when it was restructured to its present form.

Mosley was passionate about improving safety within motorsport, with those issues brought into even sharper focus following the death of Brazilian Ayrton Senna after a crash at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix.

Mosley led a campaign to improve crash test standards within the sport and in 1996 formed and led the Formula One Safety Commission.

Mosley has attracted plenty of criticism over his private life, and in 2008 won a high-profile privacy case against a British newspaper which published accusations that he was involved in a sex act which featured several female prostitutes.

The newspapers argued there was a clear public interest in publishing the information given Mosley was President of the FIA at the time of the alleged incidents.

Mosley was awarded damages of £60,000 ($84,000/€69,500) after a court ruling that aspects of the story by the newspaper, including that there was a Nazi element to the sex acts, could not be proved.

Following the allegations the FIA and the Formula One Teams Association unofficially agreed that Mosley would step down as FIA President at the end of the current term in 2009.

Max Mosley was the son of Oswald Mosley, who led political party The British Union of Fascists for its eight year existence between 1932 and 1940.

Frenchman Jean Todt succeeded Mosley as President of the FIA in 2009, and still holds the role today.

Paying tribute to his predecessor Todt wrote: "Deeply saddened by the passing of Max Mosley.

"He was a major figure in F1 and motorsport.

"As FIA President for 16 years, he strongly contributed to reinforcing safety on track and on the roads. 

"The entire FIA community pays tribute to him. 

"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family."