14 replies to this topic

[Jammy]

Linky

Despite being second fastest in the testing session, Hamilton was more than half a second quicker than Schuey!

Also interested to hear that Renault have received NO punishment for being in possesion of Maclaren documents and technical specs, despite being found guilty!

[Rhys]

That has really wound me up, they should have got the same fine as Maclaren or maybe a little less as they would have gone bankrupt if they had a fine like that.

How can they justify that then?

Rhys

[Jammy]

Well they've (FIA) said that there wasn't any evidence to show that they've used the data on their car.

Ironically, back when Maclaren were initally let off punishment, but found guilty of posessing Ferrari data, Flavio was ranting and raving about how they should be punished, and that 'how can someone be found guilty, but not punished'!!

[Rhys]

In my opinion if found guilty they should have been punished, it does not matter if they used the information, i thought that it was having the information that was the crime. If they didn't use it then maybe they should have had a smaller fine, they should have something done as punishment!

Rhys

[Jammy]

Well there are two offences. One is being in possession, the other is using that information.

Maclaren were found guilty of being in posession, and subsequently fined £50m, and had all their constructor points removed.

Renault were found guilty of being in possession but face no punishment.

Both teams, if found to have used the data on their 2008 cars, can be punished.

Thats as far as I can work out anyway!

[Rhys]

What a joke...have they justified their decision other than they did not use it?

Rhys

[Phaeton]

Just on that, how do you deal with a mechanic/technicain who leaves one team & goes to another, do you have to brainwash him/her so they can't use any of their experience they have learnt whilst being at the former team. Ross Brawn is not going to use anything he learnt at Ferrari & Renault to help Honda now is he, let's face it if he doesn't they may as well employee me.

It's a joke & F1 is starting to become a farce off track, it's all down to the Red Rule Book & their lapdogs the FIA out to stop Maclaren, let's face it they are currently the only threat to Ferrari & Lord/Allhah/Budha/(insert your daity) knows they would never consider cheating.

On the Maclaren thing this is on the ITV-F1 webite

McLaren will have to wait until the middle of February before finding out whether its McLaren MP4-23 will be eligible to race in the 2008 Formula 1 world championship.

So they spend millions getting it ready to be told they can't compete, how they going to raise sponsorship against a car that may not be able to be driven. They will also get fined if their 2 cars are not on the grid at the first race.

Alan...

[Bungle]

also the FIA have turned down the design of Maclaren's new car

but wont look at the new design until a month before the first race

[Jammy]

Just on that, how do you deal with a mechanic/technicain who leaves one team & goes to another, do you have to brainwash him/her so they can't use any of their experience they have learnt whilst being at the former team. Ross Brawn is not going to use anything he learnt at Ferrari & Renault to help Honda now is he, let's face it if he doesn't they may as well employee me.

Suppose you've just got to try and to remember not to take 11 floppy disks containing details of all the major components of the Maclaren car, and then print them out when you get to your new job at Renualt...

[MiniMick]

I used to enjoy the whole F1 experience not now yes there is some close and exciting racing at times but not like when I were a lad. It's too political now and the sportsmanship isn’t the same one example when James Hunt stopped his car to pull Niki Lauda from his burning car. I get the feeling nowadays they would drive past and at least one team will put in a protest saying it held them up in some way to try to gain some sort of an edge. Moan moan moan

[Bungle]

but what other motor sport is on tv at peak times ?

[MiniMick]

Have you watched the bike Moto GP, British Super bikes or if you only like the cars British Touring Cars now that is fun racing!

[Bungle]

even the Touring Cars arent shown sunday afternoons any more

[Jammy]

I must admit, I do prefer the close racing of the Touring Cars, and the MotoGP is ok (although I found that racing to be a touch boring as well, ok, not boring, but not exciting). I don't know why, but I'm just drawn to F1, I've watched it since I was a lad. Yes, you get some very boring races, but its the same as most other sports, sometimes you get some boring football or rugby matches, but every once in a while you'll get one that just highlights why you love the sport so much.

Yes, I do think all the off track politics is getting a bit silly now, but it adds drama if nothing else!

[jayare]

Well there are two offences. One is being in possession, the other is using that information.

Maclaren were found guilty of being in posession, and subsequently fined £50m, and had all their constructor points removed.

Renault were found guilty of being in possession but face no punishment.

Both teams, if found to have used the data on their 2008 cars, can be punished.

Thats as far as I can work out anyway!

Maclaren were initially not punished for being in possession of the information, but later further evidence was uncovered (texts and e-mails from the Dolmio man Alonso to one of his mechanics) proving they USED the information (or at least part of the team did) - hence the fine & loss of constructors points

JR