You might have caught the merest whisper of gossip about the man and his involvement with some fearsomely kitted-out escorts (no, not the rally kind) - gossip which has led to the man lying low for a few weeks.

After being told not to turn up to the Bahrain grand prix by the country’s Crown Prince, the head of world motorsport has been partially let out of the doghouse by the chairman of motorsport in Jordan, HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein, who has personally invited him to Jordan’s inaugural WRC event. In Jordan they don’t give jobs like that to anyone; this guy is also the brother of King Abdullah, so Max’s invite is doubly important.

Whether or not you believe there was a Nazi element to Mosley’s spanking session, as so graphically captured by the News of the World, the FIA boss’s future still hangs in the balance. It will remain that way until the FIA’s 222 voting members decide on June 3 whether to keep him or sack him.

Meanwhile Mosley has been steering clear of Formula 1, choosing to come to Jordan instead of risking a verbal whipping from his detractors in the paddock at the Spanish grand prix this weekend.

However, Mosley might not entirely avoid a rocky reception at Jordan - The Times has reported that King Abdullah will not officially meet him. Whether we get to see him or not, it all adds further spice to a rally that promises gripping action among the spectacular desert scenery.

But, please, let’s have no talk of drivers caning it.