Singapore race fix scandal - Piquets win libel damages

[Ian-S]

Bottom post of the previous page:

a good train of thought that it was Ron Dennis behind sex-gate, but Flabby doesn't sound such a bad idea either.

They'd better clarify the ban on people associated with Flabby, they've basically given all Flabby's drivers a get out of jail free card for getting out the management contract, but I wonder just how many people further down the ladder are going to be affected by this, he manages a lot of drivers at F3/F2/GP2 level.

With the ban of associated people they're also skating on very thin ice over restrictive practice, something the FIA have been in the dock for previously and had to settle out of court for.

[caneparo]

They'll find a way for that. What Mosley wanted was to screw Briatore, and he did it even worse than with Dennis. Italian press says Howett and Ferrari are the next on the list. Mosley has just 32 days left to act, we can expect something will happen.

[Edgar Jessop]

And Renault will only be banned if they do something similar again? Sounds reasonable.

It's about right! In cheating terms it's a nothing story, as I pontificated above.

But as a political manoeuvre .....

[Everso Biggyballies]

SOunds like the right decision to me.....Flavio was not only the predetermined target, but also the the team boss and in on the deal, and has not made so much as even thought of making an apology...... so he cops the brunt of it and we are rid of the horrible creature with the sweaty armpits and ethics of a *insert the most unethical thing you can think of*.

Symonds was in on it too, apologised and was regrettful, so he cops a ban.

Renault were not involved, have dealt with matters by ridding the team of those involved, apologised for everything and agreed to pick up all the FIA costs incurred, and have been given a suspended sentence, plus of course a lot of embarrassment by the instigators.

The only misnomer in the proceedings is that the young fuckwit who actually performed the act, and his abnoxious father are still free to come and go as they please. But at least Senior will have to buy a team to further his sons career.

[caneparo]

Actually I would prefer Flavio in F1 than outside. I'm sure we'll find him soon involved in Italian politics!!

[Everso Biggyballies]

Actually I would prefer Flavio in F1 than outside. I'm sure we'll find him soon involved in Italian politics!!

You mean the Italian govt are not already managed by him / on the payroll?

[Ian-S]

Jody Scheckter just said on BBC news that nobody will employ Nelson now cos he can't even crash properly let alone drive a car....

[Edgar Jessop]

... but shouldn't someone remind Jody that at least Nelson Piquet's son wasn't sacked for driving too slowly ....

[caneparo]

Actually I would prefer Flavio in F1 than outside. I'm sure we'll find him soon involved in Italian politics!!

You mean the Italian govt are not already managed by him / on the payroll?

ahahahah someone evily says rumors that he's their biggest suppliers; I leave yourself to imagine (or investigate) of what...

[Edgar Jessop]

I'd heard that Italy was full of Fiat Panders

[caneparo]

I'd heard that Italy was full of Fiat Panders

this could be a help:
http://www.theflorentine.net/articles/a ... etocId=283

It seems that also Faina Zanarini is a good firend with Flabbio.
Beside this it must be said that they make trio with Cesare Florio at the usual solarium

[strad]

I could not agree more......

The FIA cannot have it both ways. On one hand, it issued a judgment in the Renault cheating case that described the deliberate crash by Nelson Piquet Jr at Singapore last year as a breach of the International Sporting Code of “unparalleled severity”. On the other, it handed out a punishment of unparalleled leniency.

The governing body of motor sport has failed in its duty sufficiently to penalise Renault and its Formula One team for one of the worst acts of cheating in sporting history and allowed commercial considerations to cloud its judgment.

What was more important? Deterring others from even considering such reckless action or trying to ensure that Renault did not leave Formula One, miffed because it was hit hard for an attempt at race-fixing perpetrated by the two most senior figures in its team?

The agenda was to pin this on Flavio Briatore and Pat Symonds, but few saw Renault getting off almost scot-free. This decision is all but impossible to reconcile with the $100 million (now about £61.4 million) fine given to McLaren Mercedes two years ago for cheating by using secret Ferrari data.


McLaren’s scheme involved illegally transferred information that unfairly influenced the design of their car, and the team were punished especially for going into denial when they were caught. But $100 million for that when Renault — whose team asked their driver to endanger his life and the lives of others to fix a race — gets off with having to pay only for the FIA’s investigation into the affair? How can that be right? The bill for the investigation is about $1.6 million, which makes Renault’s sanction roughly $98.4 million cheaper.

The background to this ridiculous decision is the struggle for survival of Formula One during the credit crunch, which has led to several teams selling up and others teetering on the verge of pulling out.

From the moment this sorry tale came to light, the objective was to keep the focus on a small conspiracy, heap the blame on the individuals at its heart and rap Renault on the knuckles. It will be a sweet irony if, despite this careful attempt to appease the French car giant, it decides to leave Formula One anyway.

[FloP]

[caneparo]

please add that the immunity to NP jr is a total farce. such an idiot could not be allowed to race anymore. responsibility is the major quality of a driver

[strad]

He coulda listened to Nancy Reagan and just said NO.

[kals]

I could not agree more......

I've been looking to put my views and disappointment into words, but haven't been able to so far. This is exactly what I am feeling.

Good article Strad