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[Jabberwocky]

http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpass_ ... t_id=39601

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The hearing which could decide the motor sport future of both Flavio Briatore and Renault gets underway in Paris today.

In his case, which will be heard by the Paris Tribunal de Grande Instance, Briatore is calling for one million euros in damages, claiming the sport's governing body, under Max Mosley's leadership, was "blinded" by desire for "personal revenge".

The case follows the FIA's decision to ban Briatore from all its sanctioned series for life following the infamous 'Crashgate' scandal which saw Renault driver Nelson Piquet deliberately crash out of the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, thereby effectively handing the race win to teammate Fernando Alonso.

Ahead of the official hearing in September, Briatore and technical director Pat Symonds were both fired by the French outfit, a move that many saw as a means of appeasing the FIA in advance. Subsequently, while Briatore and Symonds both received bans from motorsport, Renault was effectively given a slap on the wrist courtesy of a two-year suspended ban.

However, in launching his legal bid, Briatore claims that the bans were not only a breach of their human rights, but that the failure to punish Renault was effectively to keep the French manufacturer from walking away from the sport at a time when BMW had already announced its intention to leave F1 only. Weeks later, Toyota and Bridgestone announced their intention to quit F1.

Other than claiming that a deal was made with Renault, Briatore claims that the case against him, and his subsequent punishment, was spearheaded by (then) FIA president Max Mosley, in retaliation for the Italian's role during the crisis which nearly saw the manufacturers set up their own series this year.

Bernie Ecclestone, a close friend of Briatore's, advised the Italian to appeal his case directly with the FIA, however, he chose to go to the French law courts.

It is widely thought that Renault - which has said that it will make a decision regarding its future in F1 later in the year - is waiting to see the outcome of Briatore's case.

[djt]

"a breach of human rights", many athelete's convicted over a major cheating scandal have been banned for life i dont understand why he feels he should of been treated differently.

[Jabberwocky]

http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpass_ ... t_id=39604

The French court which is hearing Flavio Briatore's claim for compensation and the overturning of his lifetime ban from FIA-sanctioned motorsport will not announce its decision until January 5.

The Italian, who was sacked by Renault ahead of the World Motor Sport Council hearing on September 21, is seeking one million euros in compensation and the overturning of the ban which excludes him from all involvement in FIA-sanctioned motorsport even to the extent of relinquishing his role as a driver manager.

Before the hearing got underway in Paris today, his lawyer Philippe Ouakrat told reporters "My client only aims to be able to do what he wants and to recover his freedom. He is calm and determined."

Briatore claims that the ban, which he says breaches his human rights, was mainly the doing of (then) FIA president Max Mosley, who was seeking revenge following the Italian's stance during the FIA/FOTA row which threatened to tear the sport apart. He also claims that a deal was done whereby the suspended sentence handed to Renault kept the French team in the sport when other manufacturers were jumping ship.

sigh... bet it gets leaked before then

[texasmr2]

The final decision should be a welcome addition to the "off season" debate .

[headless]

Come back Flavio, with Juan Pablo and Jacques!!

[Jensonb]

"a breach of human rights", many athelete's convicted over a major cheating scandal have been banned for life i dont understand why he feels he should of been treated differently.

Mainly, I suppose, because Piquet got off Scott free, so did the Team and Pat only got a 5 year ban. But even then, he's being wayyyyyy optimistic.