F1: Controversial! Renault effectively admits guilt!

[FJ Steve]

yeha but gti im pretty sure that incident was just schuey being scheuy rather than management orders, i think it was michael trying to win at all costs rather than purposfully rig a races results

you just keep on dreaming about MS being the all conquering clean as a whistle driver. No problems.

I saw a documentary the other week on the history of Flavio B. Talk about Mafia boss. That guy is as sneaky as Pedo Bear on a choir boys outing. He has been involved in more shaky deals and skulduggery than Christopher Skase. In fact he makes Skase look like a kindergarten bully.

I don't know why Alonso would be punished...unless it can be proven that he had an involvement in the deal (prior to the crash). As for Renault...no big issue, there is another 3 teams being welcomed into F1 next year...Bernie has a full grid and a full pocket, he isn't worried.

[jasn78]

steve im not saying he was clean all im saying is what he did is completly different to rigging a race based on orders from management by crashing ur own car on purpose.

To me this is a huge difference in scenarios and what the response should be from the governing body

[FJ Steve]

Google Prost vs Schumacher Japan

Tell me what you think of MS's driving then

*edit*...apologies. It was Senna vs Prost ... 1989 Suzuka

Still hold the opinion that MS wasn't the "cleanest" driver out there.

[No457 Snowy]

I get the feeling that NPJ has sadly allowed himself to be used as a puppet by Briatore (and Symonds). I think that by pulling this stunt, NPJ thought he might gain the favor of the Renault bosses and it looks to be the act of a desperate man who thought he was soon to be rissoled from the team for not driving up to par at that level, and not getting enough points for the team. If this little stunt had flown, he probably thought he could get into the good books would get re-signed.

Apparently Briatore had it in for NPJ anyway and had previously alluded to NPJ that his contract going to be terminated. How could you trust Briatore, after coming up with this scam, the first thing he said after the crash on the team radio was something like "F#$k he's not a driver". So it was all in vain for NPJ anyway, Briatore was going to burn him either way.

A very poor display of character from all parties involved.

Alonso says he knew nothing of the whole plan, but I wonder why he apparently didn't even question such an unusual fuel strategy (only enough for 14 laps), allowing his lighter car to outpace the heavier fueled-up cars, then the early fuel stop, and then the perfectly timed incident involving his team-mate and the heaven-sent Safety Car.

[gtimk5]

All done and dusted!! Nice and quick and Renault come out looking pretty sweet.
http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2009/9/9953.html

[Arctra]

All done and dusted!! Nice and quick and Renault come out looking pretty sweet.
http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2009/9/9953.html

Pretty sweet? They dodged a bullet big-time!

Renault received a permanent disqualification from the sport, but this is suspended until the end of 2011.

I can only assume this means that they wrap the team up over the next 2 years.... which there was rumour it was probably what they were considering doing anyway.

Will be interesting to see the washup on this. I'm predicting Nissan all of a sudden become an engine supplier in 2011, thanks to the Renault-Nissan marriage and background transfers of intellectual property.

[team_v]

With BMW pulling out and Now this, i think we will see the F1 die off and a new form of less restricted motorsport come out.

The same thing is happening in the rally circles.
Everyone is pulling out and i think we will see a new breed of rally pop up.

[gtimk5]

Clearing this mess up of Flavios just leaves the door open for the next ridiculous controversy.
You couldnt think up and write a book on whats happened in F1 over the last 2 years, starting with Mosleys after hours antics. A new underdog team leading the championship, the reigning champion languishing near the bottom of the points ladder, Prodrive being told that they cant enter the championship (dont know if this has been turned around) and Maclaren getting done for spying ect. ect.
At least it livens up what was a very boring class of racing for me, I actually watch the races a bit these days....

[gareth_oau]

With BMW pulling out and Now this, i think we will see the F1 die off and a new form of less restricted motorsport come out.

The same thing is happening in the rally circles.
Everyone is pulling out and i think we will see a new breed of rally pop up.

not necessarily, last week Lotus announced the will be competing in F1 next year, with engines by Cosworth.

I dont think its the restrictions that causing problems its the blatant cheating.

Of course I'm still waiting for Audi/Porsche/VW to announce their F1 arrival!!!

[static1800]

So basically they are banned for two years? deserves them right. It's not the first time Flavio has done something like this to win a race or championship.

Plenty of new teams wanting to come in to take their spot.

Piquet was a dud anyway, was in his contract to score half the points of Alonso. Zero points is not half of anything though, so he got the chop.

Alonso is going to Ferrari it seems so he is covered, they are a big team with lots of employee's though so that sucks.