Max Mosley has lashed out at Sir Jackie Stewart following the famous Scot's strong criticism of how the FIA handled the espionage saga.

Triple world champion Stewart, who still attends every race as a sponsor representative, was a regular media commentator throughout the affair that he ultimately branded a "witch-hunt" that unfairly pursued McLaren and Ron Dennis.

Stewart, who is 68, also said the World Motor Sport Council's sanctions probably wouldn't have held up in a normal civil court.

"I thought that it was handled very poorly," Stewart said recently, "and I think (the fine) was (handed down) because it would get an immense amount of attention globally."

"It seems some of the most powerful people (in F1) are more aligned to Ferrari.  There are more Ferrari representatives on the World Council than anybody else."

In a media lunch in London on Monday, FIA president Mosley hit back with rancour as he dismissed Stewart as a "certified halfwit" who dresses oddly.

He did not refer to the diminutive Scot by name, but was quoted by the Daily Mail as saying: "There's one particular ex-driver who because he never stops talking, never has the chance to listen -- so he doesn't know what's going on.

"It's annoying that some of the sponsors listen to him because he's won a few championships.  But nobody else in formula one does -- not the teams, not the drivers.  He's a figure of fun among drivers," Mosley added.

Mosley also apparently poked fun at Stewart's tartan trousers and caps, adding: "He goes round dressed up as a 1930s music hall man.  He's a certified halfwit."

Source: GMM