- 28 Jun 09, 16:03#129553
Ayrton Senna: WDC 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991
McLaren: WCC 1974, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2007
McLaren: WDC 1974, 1976, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2008
From The Guardian:
By Matt Scott and Alan Henry
Formula One teams are preparing a formal complaint against the chief steward, Alan Donnelly, amid suspicions his company has been involved in helping to set up grid newcomers Manor.
Jane Nottage, an associate director of Donnelly's Sovereign Strategy, is understood to be running the public-relations strategy for Manor, albeit on a pro-bono basis. Donnelly also personally escorted a senior Manor executive around the paddock at a European grand prix, introducing him to team representatives ahead of Manor's inclusion next season.
The Guardian revealed a fortnight ago that the team principals of the eight Formula One Teams Association have written a letter of complaint about Donnelly to the World Motorsport Council and senate of the FIA – crucially bypassing the president, Max Mosley. Now teams harbour deeper suspicions of a conflict of interest stoked by the reappearance in Formula One of Nick Wirth, the Manor technical director who founded the ill-fated Simtek team alongside Mosley 20 years ago.
A close associate of Donnelly yesterday insisted he is well aware of his responsibilities as chair of the stewards and has "no direct involvement" in Manor. He added he had introduced Manor to the other teams after being asked to do so as a well-connected figure in the paddock. Donnelly is also Mosley's representative at grands prix.
Fota and Mosley were accusing each other of failing to keep their side of the accord that had seemed to have averted a breakaway championship. Fota claims Mosley is manoeuvring for re-election in October, prompting a new breakdown in relations.
"We must continue to defend the independence of the FIA," Mosley said. "Even if this leads to problems in the sport. Some have interpreted the outcome [of the meeting which led to his decision not to stand again] as a backdown by the FIA and a coup by the teams wishing to remove me. These claims are completely false."
By Matt Scott and Alan Henry
Formula One teams are preparing a formal complaint against the chief steward, Alan Donnelly, amid suspicions his company has been involved in helping to set up grid newcomers Manor.
Jane Nottage, an associate director of Donnelly's Sovereign Strategy, is understood to be running the public-relations strategy for Manor, albeit on a pro-bono basis. Donnelly also personally escorted a senior Manor executive around the paddock at a European grand prix, introducing him to team representatives ahead of Manor's inclusion next season.
The Guardian revealed a fortnight ago that the team principals of the eight Formula One Teams Association have written a letter of complaint about Donnelly to the World Motorsport Council and senate of the FIA – crucially bypassing the president, Max Mosley. Now teams harbour deeper suspicions of a conflict of interest stoked by the reappearance in Formula One of Nick Wirth, the Manor technical director who founded the ill-fated Simtek team alongside Mosley 20 years ago.
A close associate of Donnelly yesterday insisted he is well aware of his responsibilities as chair of the stewards and has "no direct involvement" in Manor. He added he had introduced Manor to the other teams after being asked to do so as a well-connected figure in the paddock. Donnelly is also Mosley's representative at grands prix.
Fota and Mosley were accusing each other of failing to keep their side of the accord that had seemed to have averted a breakaway championship. Fota claims Mosley is manoeuvring for re-election in October, prompting a new breakdown in relations.
"We must continue to defend the independence of the FIA," Mosley said. "Even if this leads to problems in the sport. Some have interpreted the outcome [of the meeting which led to his decision not to stand again] as a backdown by the FIA and a coup by the teams wishing to remove me. These claims are completely false."
Ayrton Senna: WDC 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991
McLaren: WCC 1974, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2007
McLaren: WDC 1974, 1976, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2008
- By darwin dali