World motorsport federation FIA came under fire from press commentators yesterday after it imposed a “lenient” suspended ban on Renault in the Formula One “crashgate” affair.
Several reports suggested FIA and its president Max Mosley bowed to commercial pressures in imposing a suspended two-year ban on Renault for its role in fixing last year’s Singapore Grand Prix.
Others claimed the ruling may have been an act of “revenge” against former Renault team boss Flavio Briatore who was banned from FIA-sanctioned events indefinitely.
PHOTO: AFP
Spanish daily Sport spoke of a “vendetta,” saying, “Max Mosley gets the head of Flavio Briatore.”
Sports daily Marca said: “The punishment for Briatore is an act of revenge through and through. Max Mosley finishes off his arch-enemy.”
“A dubious decision,” wrote El Mundo. “The FIA shoves all the blame on Briatore and lets Renault off any sporting and economic punishment.”
British press commentators were also highly critical of the ruling.
“Renault let off as F1 chief Flavio Briatore is banned for life,” a Mail headline said.
“Formula One fury as Renault get easy ride over ‘Crashgate’, said the Times, while a Telegraph headline said: “Money talks as realpolitik guides FIA’s judgment on Renault crash.”
Despite the “lenient treatment” of a suspended ban on Renault, the Guardian said the ruling on the Singapore race-fix scandal “provided as many questions as answers.”
It pointed to the massive US$100 million fine and points deductions imposed on McLaren in 2007 for illegally obtaining confidential technical data from rivals Ferrari.
The Times motor-racing correspondent Edward Gorman, under a headline “FIA fails in its responsibility over Renault,” said that FIA had imposed a “punishment of unparalleled leniency.”
“The governing body of motor sport has failed in its duty sufficiently to penalize 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,” he wrote.
The Telegraph was also critical, describing the ruling as “a convenient outcome all round.”
In Germany, the Sueddeutsche Zeitung said the ruling was “mild” in view of the severity of the affair and “a joke” in view of the sanctions imposed on McLaren over “spygate.”
France’s Le Figaro wrote: “The affair is over, there remains merely a question mark on Renault’s desire to stay in Formula One, and if so in which form.”
Former world champion Damon Hill, now president of the British Racing Drivers’ Club, said there were broader forces at work in the ruling.
“You can’t escape from the suspicion that it was all very expedient, given that Briatore was also one of the ringleaders of the pressure group FOTA,” he said.
“No one can excuse what happened to Piquet, it’s totally abhorrent. That has been dealt with. [But] it’s not the whole story. The whole story is that there has been a power struggle for a very long time and it’s got to stop because it’s ruining the sport. It’s absolutely deplorable,” Hill said.
Mosley meanwhile rejected suggestions the judgement was too soft.
“I think it’s the right decision. I think the blame has been placed where the blame should be placed,” he said.
Mosley added: “The penalty that we have imposed is the harshest one we can inflict, which is disqualification, and it is complete expulsion from the sport.”
“However, because Renault demonstrated that they had absolutely no moral responsibility for what took place — that is to say Renault F1 the team did not know and still less did the company have any responsibility — it would be wrong in the circumstances to impose an immediate penalty. I think we’ve demonstrated that we’ve dealt with it,” he said.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely