Verdict out - Briatore Banned

Renault today appeared before an extraordinary meeting of the FIA World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) to face charges relating to the Crash gate affair. After a hearing in Paris - which lasted just 90 minutes - the WMSC handed down a rapid verdict.

Renault received a two year ban, but this is suspended until the end of 2011. The team has issued a statement saying it apologises unreservedly for its “unacceptable behaviour” and hopes to move on. Flavio Briatore is effectively banned from any avenue of motorsport indefinitely, while co-conspirator Symonds is banned for five years.

"Renault F1’s breaches not only compromised the integrity of the sport but also endangered the lives of spectators, officials, other competitors and Nelson Piquet Jr. himself," read a statement from the FIA. "The World Motor Sport Council considers that offences of this severity merit permanent disqualification from the FIA Formula One World Championship.

"However, having regard to the points in mitigation mentioned above and in particular the steps taken by Renault F1 to identify and address the failings within its team and condemn the actions of the individuals involved, the WMSC has decided to suspend Renault F1’s disqualification until the end of the 2011 season. The World Motor Sport Council will only activate this disqualification if Renault F1 is found guilty of a comparable breach during that time."

Managing director Flavio Briatore and executive director of engineering Pat Symonds were both implicated ahead of today’s hearing and had already left the team. Briatore has been banned from the sport indefinitely, while Symonds received a five year ban.

"As regards Mr. Briatore, the World Motor Sport Council declares that, for an unlimited period, the FIA does not intend to sanction any International Event, Championship, Cup, Trophy, Challenge or Series involving Mr.Briatore in any capacity whatsoever, or grant any license to any Team or other entity engaging Mr. Briatore in any capacity whatsoever. It also hereby instructs all officials present at FIA-sanctioned events not to permit Mr. Briatore access to any areas under the FIA’s jurisdiction.

"Furthermore, it does not intend to renew any Superlicence granted to any driver who is associated (through a management contract or otherwise) with Mr. Briatore, or any entity or individual associated with Mr. Briatore. In determining that such instructions should be applicable for an unlimited period, the World Motor Sport Council has had regard not only to the severity of the breach in which Mr. Briatore was complicit but also to his actions in continuing to deny his participation in the breach despite all the evidence."

While Briatore has been banned from the sport indefinitely with Symonds handed a five year ban, Fernando Alonso "was not in any way involved in Renault F1’s breach of the regulations.” Nelson Piquet Jr was immune from sanctions after giving evidence to the FIA.

Renault F1 president Bernard Rey attended the 90-minute hearing along with Nelson Piquet Jr, Nelson Piquet Snr, Fernando Alonso, and the 26 WMSC members including Max Mosley and Bernie Ecclestone.

“We fully accept the decision of the Council,” stated Renault F1 Team president Bernard Rey. “ We apologize unreservedly to the F1 community in relation to this unacceptable behaviour. We sincerely hope that we can soon put this matter behind us and focus constructively on the future.”

F1 : Briatore banned - F1 - F1-Live.com

And compare that to the sentence McLaren got for cheating.
Fixing ain't that big a deal. so you just hand over s suspended sentence.

Good sham. But then you can't lose renault too. This is "Business of F1"

wahahahahaha

Originally Posted by Safin

And compare that to the sentence McLaren got for cheating.
Fixing ain't that big a deal. so you just hand over s suspended sentence.

Good sham. But then you can't lose renault too. This is "Business of F1"

I agree, the penalties were ridiculous and clearly engineered to appease Renault

Originally Posted by Safin

And compare that to the sentence McLaren got for cheating.
Fixing ain't that big a deal. so you just hand over s suspended sentence.

Good sham. But then you can't lose renault too. This is "Business of F1"

Excellent point made.. its true.. F1's a business at the end of the day.