FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[andy]

I've just spent some valuable work time reading this...

http://www.fia.com/resources/documents/ ... 130907.pdf

Firstly, I will point out that I am somewhat of a Mclaren fan. So this is not Mclaren bashing in anyway.

In short, it would appear that Coughlan had way more information than just the initial 780 page dossier. In fact there were hundreds of calls, texts and emails. The frequency of which increased during Ferrari tests.

Also, PDR admits that Coughlan supplied the information to him, that he requested information from Coughlan, that he knew the information came from Stepney and that he passed the information on to FA.

Suspiciously though he says none of the information was ever used or tested and that he alone made the decision not to test any of the ideas conveyed to him.

Stepney was also supplying race strategy information to Coughlan which was being passed to the Mclaren team.

There is also a section which says that Coughlan told his superior that he was receiving info from Ferrari. Later he presented some photo's to the same superior. The FIA think, rightly in my view, that at this point they should have been informed of illegal possesion of rival teams information.

The FIA have concluded that, while no physical parts have been copied from the Ferrari, Coughlan had sufficent opportunity to use the information to influence the testing of the Mclaren to the disadvantage of Ferrari.

Personally, I think if the FIA hadn't given the Mclaren drivers immunity then they would have been exluced from the drivers championship too.

[bmwpower]

keep it simple please

http://www.forumula1.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1633

[darwin dali]

Wow, reading this document I conclude that the degree of cheating/non-reporting/knowledge of Ferrari data is even worse than I had imagined in my wildest nightmares.
This is truly disgusting and the penalty doesn't look too harsh the least bit. PdLR should never be allowed to test drive an F1 car again - he's corrupt to the bone. FA's image as a two-time world champion is tainted by this as well and his whining makes even less sense now given that he had all this 'special' illegal support at McLaren while LH apparently didn't.
It just seems unfair that McLaren can continue to compete in the drivers championship with all this extra knowledge, but MM granted the drivers immunity for providing evidence against McLaren and how else could the FIA possibly fulfill that promise?

[andy]

Something tells me that as soon as RD saw the letters to his drivers he piled as much blame as possible onto PDR.

I find it hard to believe that nobody else in the whole of Mclaren saw or heard any information that was suspect.

[stonemonkey]

Personally, I think if the FIA hadn't given the Mclaren drivers immunity then they would have been exluced from the drivers championship too.

I agree, to me it looks like the drivers were given that opportunity in order to minimise damage to the sport as a whole. The penalty given is a lot more than a slap on the wrist and should be a warning for other teams to get/keep themselves in order.

[darwin dali]

Something tells me that as soon as RD saw the letters to his drivers he piled as much blame as possible onto PDR.

I find it hard to believe that nobody else in the whole of Mclaren saw or heard any information that was suspect.

I don't even want to contemplate this! That's where the FIA had to 'disagree' or 'not accept' so often in their statement because it seemed implausible - they came to the same conclusion that there was in ALL likelihood even more dirty business going on, but they couldn't prove it.

[McLaren Fan]

MM granted the drivers immunity for providing evidence against McLaren and how else could the FIA possibly fulfill that promise?

Three things explain that: commerce; politics; and personal grudges.

[darwin dali]

MM granted the drivers immunity for providing evidence against McLaren and how else could the FIA possibly fulfill that promise?

Three things explain that: commerce; politics; and personal grudges.

Another post that doesn't make sense. The question was how else could the FIA possibly fulfill that promise (i.e., grant immunity). I was looking for suggestions how that could have been preserved while also protecting the interests of the damaged third party and FIA as a whole. And I believe that letting them drive in the current cheater car, as unfair it might be to their championship rivals, is probably the only way.
Your cranky reply doesn't really pertain to or answer this granted somewhat rhetorical question.

[7UpJordan]

I wonder what this is going to do for De La Rosa's chances of driving for Prodrive next year? Perhaps Mr Richards is now making phonecalls instead to Messrs C Klien and Albers instead.

[deMuRe]

I am totally discusted by McLaren, the drivers knew about it as well, even Alonso. The sportsmanlike thing to do would be for both drivers to retire this season.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsp ... 995240.stm

[darwin dali]

Retire? Or just withdraw?
At any rate, this would be a way too honorable thing to do for FA knowing what we know and knowing that we don't even know everything...
With LH it's apparently a bit different as he SEEMS to not have DIRECTLY benefited from that continuous flow of Ferrari info. HOWEVER, having said this, his car was still developed with that kind of input and information, possibly unbeknown to him. Knowing NOW these facts it would be the honorable thing to do. It would raise his F1 status to incredible new heights and he could command a price for his future services that would make even Tiger Woods blush. He's young enough so that losing this his rookie year wouldn't make a difference really. Something for him and his dad to think about...