Max Mosley has not ruled out staying on as FIA president after his current term of office expires next autumn, although he says he is currently minded to stand down at that time.
The 68-year-old survived a vote of confidence from the governing body's worldwide membership earlier this year after a tabloid expose about his sex life.
Throughout the scandal and subsequent court case he maintained that he would not be seeking re-election when his presidential term ends in October 2009.
But returning to the Formula 1 paddock at Monza for the first time since winning his privacy action against the News of the World, Mosley took a more nuanced line, signalling that he is leaving his options open.
He told the Reuters news agency that while it remains his "inclination" to stand down after seeing out his term, he is facing widespread calls to remain at the helm.
"I have to say there is an awful lot of pressure coming from different parts of the world saying 'continue', which is very nice of them, and is very widespread, I have to say that," said Mosley.
"But it's very hard work and I am really quite ready to take a less active role.
"So there comes a point with that sort of thing where you think maybe a slightly quieter life would be ideal, but we shall see.
"You can't rule anything out. No. You should never say never, as the old cliché goes.
"But at the moment my inclination is that I would like a quiet life."
Formula 1's commercial impresario Bernie Ecclestone has predicted for some time that Mosley might decide to restand.
And although at one stage he called on his long-time ally to quit because the scandal had damaged his credibility, Ecclestone now says the mood in F1 circles has changed and there is no obvious successor to him.
"The problem really is that if we are really selfish and think about the sport as it is, it's difficult to know who is going to replace him and do the things he does," Ecclestone said earlier this month.
Although he was snubbed by several dignitaries after the scandal broke, prompting some to question whether he could properly carry out his role, Mosley insists it has been business as usual.
"I've been doing what I normally do," he said.
"You see, I only go to one grand prix a year normally and last year it was Belgium - and of course Monaco because I live there.
"Now I'm doing this grand prix so it's all quite normal.
"The work really is all in the office and then talking to people on the phone and meeting people.
"As far as Formula 1 is concerned, everything has just gone on."
SOURCE: ITV-F1
ED: Make your mind up, boy...
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