Embattled FIA president Max Mosley will attend next week's Monaco Grand Prix but he will not officially be representing world motor sport's governing body.
That role will be undertaken by deputy president Marco Piccinini, an Italian who also holds a Monegasque passport and who is also a member of the FIA senate.
It means Piccinini will be on hand to greet Prince Albert II on the grid ahead of the grand prix in nine days' time, and again at the post-race gala dinner.
Such a move could be interpreted as another snub towards Mosley, who faces a vote of confidence with regard to his position at a extraordinary hearing of the general assembly in Paris on June 3.
Mosley is fighting for his future after lurid revelations about his private life emerged in a News of the World story published at the end of March.
Since then Mosley has been slighted on several occasions, notably by the royal family of Bahrain who requested he not attend their grand prix in early April.
Mosley was also due to visit Israel to discuss the future of motor sport in the country, only for the invite to be withdrawn 24 hours later.
Last month Mosley confirmed he would be attending the high-profile Monaco Grand Prix given he resides in Monte Carlo.
But on this occasion he will perform other duties, so stepping out of the public spotlight that would almost certainly have focused upon him.
Confirming the situation, a statement from the Automobile Club de Monaco read: "At the request of the FIA president, the FIA was represented by Mr Marco Piccinini, a prominent Monegasque citizen, as well as the FIA deputy president for sport, during this year's Monte Carlo Rally at the prize giving and gala dinner.
"The ACM was informed some time ago that it was agreed between Mr Mosley and Mr Piccinini that the same procedure would be adopted for the Monaco Grand Prix.
"Mr Mosley will be in attendance throughout the event in the normal way in his capacity as FIA president and any suggestion to the contrary is entirely erroneous."
A spokesman for the Royal Palace added: "Regarding the presence of Max Mosley at the Monaco Grand Prix, there is no question about that.
"However, we have been informed by the Automobile Club de Monaco that Marco Piccinini will be the president's delegate representing the FIA at the Grand Prix, as he was for the Monaco Rally earlier this year."
A spokesman for the FIA reiterated the fact Mosley "was in any case never due to attend the (post-race) gala dinner".
The spokesman added: "He will be attending the Monaco Grand Prix as president of the FIA on the usual basis."
The 68-year-old has maintained the News of the World article was a gross intrusion into his private life and has since launched a legal case against the Sunday tabloid, which is due to be heard in July, claiming unlimited damages.
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