Renault Dismiss Flav and Pat or Oh dear… Here comes trouble

[ensign14]

Originally Posted by NPP

yes indeed.

However I find it difficult to believe that it is all limited to them and that, for example, Alonso knew nothing.

Indeed, some rare footage of Symonds briefing Alonso can be found here.

[Peat]

that deserves a huge LOL!

[joe rossi]

Not as damning as the evidence regarding Piquet...

http://tinypic.com/r/2utjehc/3

[Sodemo]

Originally Posted by ensign14

Indeed, some rare footage of Symonds briefing Alonso can be found here.

Excellent, there is quite a lot of moustache going on in that video.

[Ted bennett]

Did Max engage that Quest agency to track down who it was who tipped off the NOTW about his dressing up hobby? I wonder where the evidence trail led them.

[Casper]

After refusing to answer a series of key questions, Symonds, who is accused of asking Piquet jnr to crash in Singapore, said: ''I have no intention of lying to you. I have not lied to you, but I have reserved my position just a little.''

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by Ted bennett

I wonder where the evidence trail led them.

Telephone conversation:

N.O.T.W. editor: OK Mister X,I'll ensure that in exchange for the 'goods' I will not ask your name or your reasons for providing said 'goods'.

Mr X: OK,eez pleaze to be good no,and very much to be doing wiv the beezneez of you.

[ghinzani]

Originally Posted by davyboy

There's not been much discussion of Alonso in all of this. If what appears to have happened, did. I find it impossible to believe that Alonso was unaware of it. If he was aware of it, he would have been complicit to some degree. Let's not forget, he was the primary beneficiary of this choreography.

Agreed, maybe the way he grassed up Rons team is coming back to haunt him too.

[kartracer41]

Briatore and Symonds leave Renault, and Renault refuse to dispute the allegations of race fixing ahead of the WMSC.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/78668

[jab]

So what we can ascertain from that is that they are guilty as hell

[Super Hans]

I guess Symonds elected to fall on his sword rather than accept immunity and implicate Flav. Whatever else he may have done, that's quite creditable.

[steve_r]

I thought this would all turn out to be nonsense. Apparently I am wrong, which makes this one of the worst cases of cheating in F1 ever (if true).

[davyboy]

Sensational stuff ! I think we can infer that it happened and that Automobiles Renault have immediately lanced these two. Wow ! I guess Renault F1 could still be censured... and what about Alonso ?

[jab]

Originally Posted by Super Hans

I guess Symonds elected to fall on his sword rather than accept immunity and implicate Flav. Whatever else he may have done, that's quite creditable.

I think their positions were untenable regardless. He may well have accepted immunity anyway

The end of the Flav era, then. That's 2 of the great team leaders of the 1990s and 2000s departing in less than a year over 2 controversial incidents

What are the odds that Renault now get away with a slap on the wrist next week like McLaren did over Liegate? Quite good, I'd have thought

[Super Hans]

Originally Posted by jab

What are the odds that Renault now get away with a slap on the wrist next week like McLaren did over Liegate? Quite good, I'd have thought

Indeed.

I suppose the next question is: Has Max finished or are there any more opponents to snuff out?

[steve_r]

I would have thought that the penalty against Renault should be more severe. Liegate about overtaking under a pace car is nowhere near as bad in comparison with this.

The difficulty lies in whether the FIA want to keep Renault in F1. If so, HUGE fines might not be in their best interest.

[jab]

Originally Posted by Super Hans

Indeed.

I suppose the next question is: Has Max finished or are there any more opponents to snuff out?

Ron: gone
Flav: gone
Thiessen: gone
Howett: under threat due to Toyota's future

Well, there's di Montezuma's Revenge, but I think he's one step too far...

[GT6]

Would the last person to leave F1 please remember to turn off the light

[garcon]

I'll admit I was pretty convinced this was all a load of made up nonsense from Piquet to stitch up Briatore and Renault! How wrong can one be! Sorry Nelsinho for thinking you were a liar!!

So, the punishment? Expulsion from the manufacturer's championship this year, and (if only it could be done) a hefty fine that must be paid by Briatore himself.

The former is a prediction, the latter my wish.

Wonder how Bernie's feeling about all this?

[ensign14]

Originally Posted by steve_r

I thought this would all turn out to be nonsense. Apparently I am wrong, which makes this one of the worst cases of cheating in F1 ever (if true).

Or one of the best. Depending on your perspective.

[Peat]

Bernie will have been quite active in this. Probably advised Fav and Pat on this decision. As commercial rights holder, Bernie just can't afford to let Renault walk away. I expect a slap-on-the-wrist style penalty....

[ukaskew]

Originally Posted by steve_r

I would have thought that the penalty against Renault should be more severe. Liegate about overtaking under a pace car is nowhere near as bad in comparison with this.

I agree, whilst they are two completely different incidents, the safety implications of this are far more damaging to the sport, in my opinion. Marshals, spectators, all put at risk for essentially nothing, it's staggering.

Can the results still be amended, or are they written in stone now?

[foreversideways]

Well well well, never expected that outcome. I thought it was nonsense from Piquet. Big question is now, what will be the punishment and will Renault withdraw from the sport.

[davyboy]

I predict that Renault will be hit with a very severe punishment and that will be the catalyst for them to leave Formula One. No matter what way you look at it, e.g. saying we had a pair of rogues running the team, the buck has to stop somewhere and the offence is so severe that draconian punitive measures must be given.

[joe rossi]

Renault obviously in damage limitation mode. Getting rid of the culprits when it seems they had little defence will help them avoid a massive penalty I assume.

I still think Alonso has questions to answer..

Plus when you add in the "competitors data on our computers" shenaigans from last year which got comprehensively swept under the table, maybe Renault and F1 are better off without that pair.