F1 cheating

[Anthony]

I agree with you about Mosley, but funnily enough I think for once in his life his actions have been justified in this case, even though no doubt motivated by personal vendetta.

I'm still assuming that Briatore will be banned from involvement in motor racing on Monday, because otherwise what would be the point of all this palaver? He might be a bit more lenient with Symonds though - after all, if Symonds had been willing to deny everything, as Briatore did, the FIA probably wouldn't have got a conviction of either of them.

But you may be right that he won't be able to ban Briatore, in which case Briatore might own the Renault team by next year, which would hardly count as a triumph for Mosley. Ron Dennis is another case in point. He isn't banned, and wasn't convicted of anything. I don't know of anything to prevent him returning to F1 next year if he wanted to and if he deemed it in McLaren's interests (which it could be once Malevolent Max was no longer at the FIA)

 

[Dr S]

Don't know the ins and outs but FIA cannot 'ban' an individual from motorsport due to European competition law. Don't ask me to explain it; just something on the radio the other day which i was half listening to.

The Renault rumours are gaining speed. Latest gossip is that Jan Charouz is to buy the team and have Dave Richard's Prodrive run it with Renault engines. Jan owns the third Lola Aston Martin in Gulf colours and runs in under the AMR Eastern Europe banner- run by Prodrive and has won the LMS title this year. The flames are being fed by the fact that the Lola Aston is for sale (£1,200,000) along with the entire contents of his Motor Museum.

Another rumour going around today is that Alonso is going to sign for the Scuderia next week. Bye Bye Kimi :cry:

 

[tintin40]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsp ... 261004.stm

anther view

 

[Anthony]

Don't know the ins and outs but FIA cannot 'ban' an individual from motorsport due to European competition law. Don't ask me to explain it; just something on the radio the other day which i was half listening to.

Yes, so says Autosport this morning, although it's said to be down to FIA rules, not EU law. Plenty of sportsmen are banned from plying their trade without offending EU competition law. Anyway MM looking to find ways round it, but not clear whether he can.

The same Autosport reported that the bans on Stepney and Coughlan had been rescinded when McLaren were fined $100m, because MM said there was no longer any justification for them, guilt having been established to be much more widespread than thought.

Another rumour going around today is that Alonso is going to sign for the Scuderia next week. Bye Bye Kimi :cry:

Ferrari still has to pay his salary for 2010, so assuming they keep their beloved Massa, there might be a warm hello for a FOC WDC Kimi at Brawn? McLaren? Renault?

And as for Ferrari, might they begin to wonder about Alonso? A little bit like that gorgeous blonde who marries rich men, and tragically enough every one she marries soon dies. Who would want to be the next to marry her?

 

[BarneyRubble]

Ouch! From the BBC about Flav's indefinite ban from FIA sanctioned events..

"The FIA imposed further sanctions on Briatore, who ended his nine-year reign as Renault team principal last week in the wake of the scandal.

The Italian has been banned indefinitely from attending any FIA events. A route back into F1 was made more difficult for Briatore as the FIA declared it would not grant a license to any team he was involved with or renew a Superlicence granted to any driver associated with him."

 

[Dr S]

FIA Press Release Monday 21st September

The World Motor Sport Council finds that Renault F1 team members Flavio Briatore, Pat Symonds and Nelson Piquet Jr. conspired to cause a deliberate crash at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix. The World Motor Sport Council therefore finds Renault F1, which, under article 123 of the International Sporting Code, is responsible for the actions of its employees, in breach of Articles 151(c) and point 2(c) of Chapter IV of Appendix L of the Code, and Articles 3.2, 30.3 and/or 39.1 of the Formula One Sporting Regulations.

The World Motor Sport Council considers Renault F1's breaches relating to the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix to be of unparalleled severity. Renault F1's breaches not only compromised the integrity of the sport but also endangered the lives of spectators, officials, other competitors and Nelson Piquet Jr. himself. The World Motor Sport Council considers that offences of this severity merit permanent disqualification from the FIA Formula One World Championship. However, having regard to the points in mitigation mentioned above and in particular the steps taken by Renault F1 to identify and address the failings within its team and condemn the actions of the individuals involved, the WMSC has decided to suspend Renault F1's disqualification until the end of the 2011 season. The World Motor Sport Council will only activate this disqualification if Renault F1 is found guilty of a comparable breach during that time.

In addition the World Motor Sport Council notes Renault F1's apology and agrees that the team should pay the costs of the investigation. It also accepts the offer of a significant contribution to the FIA's safety work.

As regards Mr. Briatore, the World Motor Sport Council declares that, for an unlimited period, the FIA does not intend to sanction any International Event, Championship, Cup, Trophy, Challenge or Series involving Mr. Briatore in any capacity whatsoever, or grant any license to any Team or other entity engaging Mr. Briatore in any capacity whatsoever. It also hereby instructs all officials present at FIA-sanctioned events not to permit Mr. Briatore access to any areas under the FIA's jurisdiction. Furthermore, it does not intend to renew any Superlicence granted to any driver who is associated (through a management contract or otherwise) with Mr. Briatore, or any entity or individual associated with Mr. Briatore. In determining that such instructions should be applicable for an unlimited period, the World Motor Sport Council has had regard not only to the severity of the breach in which Mr. Briatore was complicit but also to his actions in continuing to deny his participation in the breach despite all the evidence.

As regards Mr. Symonds, the World Motor Sport Council declares that, for a period of five years, the FIA does not intend to sanction any International Event, Championship, Cup, Trophy, Challenge or Series involving Mr. Symonds in any capacity whatsoever, or grant any license to any Team or other entity engaging Mr. Symonds in any capacity whatsoever. It hereby instructs, for a period of five years, all officials present at FIA-sanctioned events not to permit Mr. Symonds access to any areas under the FIA's jurisdiction. In determining that such instructions should be effective for a period of five years the World Motor Sport Council has had regard: (i) to Mr. Symonds' acceptance that he took part in the conspiracy; and (ii) to his communication to the meeting of the World Motor Sport Council that it was to his "eternal regret and shame" that he participated in the conspiracy.

As regards Mr. Piquet Jr., the World Motor Sport Council confirms the immunity from individual sanctions under the International Sporting Code in relation to this incident, which the FIA had granted to him in exchange for volunteering his evidence.

As regards Fernando Alonso, the World Motor Sport Council thanks him for cooperating with the FIA's enquiries and for attending the meeting, and concludes that Mr. Alonso was not in any way involved in Renault F1's breach of the regulations.

The World Motor Sport Council would like to thank the Stewards and legal investigation team (in particular Dorothy Cory-Wright of Sidley Austin LLP who conducted the interviews at the Belgian Grand Prix).

The full reasons for this decision, in addition to a complete recording of the proceedings before the World Motor Sport Council, will be made available shortly

 

[Andy B]