FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[f1usa]

Brundle hits back, new post on PittPass.com. F1 fans have known for years how corrupt the FIA was, but now the average Joe can read about it in main-stream media like The Sunday Times. We need more ambassadors of the sport of F1 racing to come forward, like former F1 driver Martin Brundle.

[texasmr2]

I've alway's liked Martin and he would be a great FIA board member.

[McLaren Fan]

From autosport.com:

Brundle: FIA trying to bully the media

By Biranit Goren Sunday, December 9th 2007, 02:49 GMT

Martin BrundleFormer Grand Prix driver and ITV Formula One commentator Martin Brundle has accused the FIA of trying to deter the media from criticising the governing body over their handling of the spying affair.

The FIA said it intends to sue the Sunday Times for libel after Brundle accused the governing body of witch-hunt against McLaren in a column published in September.

That column appeared four days before the World Motor Sport Council excluded McLaren from the 2007 constructors' championship and imposed a $100 million USD fine on the outfit.

In a new column published today in the Sunday Times, Brundle hits back at the FIA and claims the timing of the legal threat is not coincidental.

"The timing of the writ is significant, in my view, given the FIA's decision to find Renault guilty of having significant McLaren designs and information within their systems, but not administering any penalty," Brundle writes.

"It is a warning sign to other journalists and publications to choose their words carefully over that decision.

"I'm tired of what I perceive as the 'spin' and tactics of the FIA press office, as are many other journalists.

"I expect my accreditation pass for next year will be hindered in some way to make my coverage of F1 more difficult and to punish me. Or they will write to ITV again to say that my commentary is not up to standard despite my unprecedented six Royal Television Society Awards for sports broadcasting. So be it."

Brundle also defends his right to voice his criticism against the FIA, emphasizing his experience and passion for Formula One.

"As a former Formula One driver, I have earned the right to have an opinion about the sport, and probably know as much about it as anybody else," he writes.

"I have attended approaching 400 Grands Prix, 158 as a driver. I have spilt blood, broken bones, shed tears, generated tanker loads of sweat, tasted the champagne glories and plumbed the depths of misery.

"I have never been more passionate about F1 and will always share my opinions in an honest and open way, knowing readers will make up their own minds."

48-year-old Brundle raced in Formula One between the years 1984 and 1996. He has been commentating for ITV for the past decade.

Brundle is a good commentator (I feel sorry for him having to sit beside Allen though) and is very knowledgeable, speaking a lot of sense. He is telling the truth today once again.

[texasmr2]

I'm digging that new siggy pic McLaren Fan .

[7UpJordan]

Brundle's a genious. He is down to earth and is a great co-commentator no matter what legend (Murray Walker) or plonker (James Allen) is alongside him.

[madbrad]

I don't see how you can sue someone for calling your actions a witch hunt anyway.

[raithrover]

Could make for an interesting season when Brundle goes walkabout on the start/finish straight.

[mooker]

I'd love to see the FIA take Brundle to court. I'm sure Ron Dennis' lawyers could help dig up a little history and have Madmax explain things to a civil jury. But I certainly hope they don't get daft with his gridwalks and commentary, he's a top bloke and one of the best there is.

[racechick]

I think its the Sunday times Max is taking to court for printing it.Apparantly the FIA have already written to the ITV and accused Brundle of substandard reporting,(hes actually won 6 televison awards for it !!). Brundle also expects his accreditation pass to be hidered next year. And max says he doesnt go witch hunting

[deMuRe]

When you're the boss you're always upsetting somebody.

In a business you look after your number one customer.

Formula One is a business, Ferrari is the FIA's number one customer. Without Ferrari Formula One would be finished.

Without McLaren, formula one would survive.

It's that simple.

Stop crying, I know it's upsetting McLaren haven't won anything since 1999 but get over it, if your team doesn't win you don't blame the establishment you endure the lean period and hope for the best next season...

[bud]

Demure youre missing the point arent you, you seriously dont see anything wrong with the FIA trying to ban freedom of speech? youre pathetic as they get go back to watching ballroom dancing or what ever it was that took your fancy before you jumped on the Schumi bandwagon! Its fans like yourself that give F1 a bad name!

some common sense here, why isnt the 08 Renault being checked

"It was deemed that, as with McLaren, it could not be proven Renault benefited from it. Surprisingly, although the case is left open if further information surfaces, unlike McLaren, the Renault team will not be investigated with regard to their 2008 car.


"Why would that be? I accept there was an element of 'live' transfer of unpublished information over three months between Stepney of Ferrari and Coughlan of McLaren, but it seems the actual proof of information within the Renault team was significantly more damning.

[8-ball]

When you're the boss you're always upsetting somebody.

In a business you look after your number one customer.

Formula One is a business, Ferrari is the FIA's number one customer. Without Ferrari Formula One would be finished.

Without McLaren, formula one would survive.

It's that simple.

Stop crying, I know it's upsetting McLaren haven't won anything since 1999 but get over it, if your team doesn't win you don't blame the establishment you endure the lean period and hope for the best next season...

I'm sure that F1 would survive without Ferrari as it is my belief that the drivers not the teams are the main attraction. Ferrari only became what it was thanks to shumi. I expect the same for LH

[deMuRe]

When you're the boss you're always upsetting somebody.

In a business you look after your number one customer.

Formula One is a business, Ferrari is the FIA's number one customer. Without Ferrari Formula One would be finished.

Without McLaren, formula one would survive.

It's that simple.

Stop crying, I know it's upsetting McLaren haven't won anything since 1999 but get over it, if your team doesn't win you don't blame the establishment you endure the lean period and hope for the best next season...

I'm sure that F1 would survive without Ferrari as it is my belief that the drivers not the teams are the main attraction. Ferrari only became what it was thanks to shumi. I expect the same for LH

Goto most races and the Ferrari fans add up to all the other teams put together, sometimes more. If Ferrari left F1 sure F1 would survive but it would lose it'a ppeal by more then half. Sponsors would leave, television networks would no longer pay a premium and the fans will follow them to whatever series they decided to move to.

Remember when Ferrari threatened to leave F1 and goto America? The pitlane poo'd itself, it's in everyone's best interest that Ferrari stay in F1 and are kept happy.

[deMuRe]

Demure youre missing the point arent you, you seriously dont see anything wrong with the FIA trying to ban freedom of speech? youre pathetic as they get go back to watching ballroom dancing or what ever it was that took your fancy before you jumped on the Schumi bandwagon! Its fans like yourself that give F1 a bad name!

some common sense here, why isnt the 08 Renault being checked

"It was deemed that, as with McLaren, it could not be proven Renault benefited from it. Surprisingly, although the case is left open if further information surfaces, unlike McLaren, the Renault team will not be investigated with regard to their 2008 car.


"Why would that be? I accept there was an element of 'live' transfer of unpublished information over three months between Stepney of Ferrari and Coughlan of McLaren, but it seems the actual proof of information within the Renault team was significantly more damning.

I only watch ballroom dancing every now and again Bud, I think you would look marvellous doing the Tango with Ron Dennis in a nice evening gown...

[raithrover]

deMuRe the issue here isn't McLaren or the favouritism that Ferrari constantly receive, but these actions that undermine the whole competitive nature of F1. If you and Max had your way, then we'd be better going out to a showroom than expecting competitive racing.

Formula 1 cannot survive without competition.