OK Guys, I was a little late with the Ross Brawn Story, but how about this? http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/formula-1/ Ciao...Paolo
for me, i don't think it's fair either, but Max was quoted saying last week they haven't rule out a possibility of docking the drivers points. either way, it doesn't make any difference now. this season is just gone like that.
Dock them points earned between May and June, when the alleged documents were said to be in their possession. But in reality, no matter WHEN they received the documents, they know the inner-workings of SF strategies, chassis, mechanical components etc. Especially the strategic info can be applied... forever. I mean, there is no limit on what they could do with such insider information. That is assuming Coughlin didn't keep it for himself for no one else to see. We'll soon find out. I personally wouldn't doubt that he shared the info (hey, that large sum of money wasn't from saving pennies after buying groceries) AND he attempted to copy the info for his future planned move to Honda. So i think that he went behind McLaren's back with that second copy of the documents, IMVHO. We'll see, like I said. I REALLY think McL were a little too quick to suspend him if they really had NO idea about the documents, because it wasn't even said what involvement Coughlan had in the case and they IMMEDIATELY distanced themselves from him and let him take the fall. I hope that backfires on them. Because if your top designer is accused of something and you REALLY have no idea, you DEFEND him. Then if he's guilty, you appologize after the verdict comes out and play up the fact you had no idea the documents were in his position. If you had known, you would have done something about it blah blah blah damage control. After typing that (one of the first things I've said on the subject here at F-Chat) I really really think McL should be punished. IF my assertions are somewhat correct. I could be wrong, but I jsut have a bad feeling about everything. Ugh. In today's F1, the car is 90%! Look at our Button discussion. There's no way to prove McL drivers would be doing as well as they are if they had a less capable car. Because of that, sorry, you're season is tainted.
At least ! It is however sad, that their seasons will be diminished, by the actions of team members not on the track, no matter the final disposition of all of this. Agreed. Quite likely. Absolutely, a very suspicious knee-jerk reaction by McLaren!
McLaren suspended Coughlan when his house was raided and stuff was found ... how could you accuse McLaren of suspending him too soon? He was caught red handed!, can't defend that. Pete
We don't know how the data was used. Maybe if Mcl didn't have access to this data their car wouldn't be as quick or relible as it is. If that's the case, I have absolutely no problem with the drivers getting a points penalty.
Are you sure? I for some reason remember them suspending him when Ferrari pointed the finger at him after it had been found out that Stepney and him had been in contact.
If there's proof McLaren knowingly used Ferrari data to give them an advantage, take away all their points. Doesn't really matter as Kimi will win anyway.
jeebers! i was sooo excited because this season seems to have heated up...momentum going back and forth...a title fight down to the end...now, it's tainted...no matter what happens from here on out, the season has been crapped on...
I predict they get a a "hand-slap" fine or nothing happens at all. I seriously doubt they will be docked points in the WDC or the WCC. Whatever actually happened I'm sure has been blown way of out proportion...
There's criminal investigations and possibilities that McLaren has access to all of Ferrari's technical strategy and you think they'll just get a slap on the hand? If they are found out to have deliberately cheated and used the information to benefit the results of the team they deserve much more than a slap on the hand. It's still a shame that the season is going to turn out this way. It's nice to see Ferrari win, but I want it to be based on what happens on the track not what happens with the FIA and their decisions.
Really? Do you remember what MS did 10 years ago to JV and the penalty he received? Which is worse, that or knowing how to build the competitor's car exactly and run their strategy?
If what they did was that terrible then yes they deserve punishment under the FIA rules. My point was, it seems what they are actually being accused of seems to be being exaggerated. The F1 press has been known to "run with" stories.
Alright then we are in agreement. I too think that it may have been blown out of proportion at this point, but if they are actually found to have done the things that they are being accused of then they should deserve the correct punishment under the rules.
If its true that they had that info (and it looks like they did) then that is a serious setback to Ferrari and Maclaren should be excluded for the remainder of the season and no testing allowed for them untill Jan 08. This is very serious stuff here and millions of dollars are involved. It cannot go unpunished.
+1 IMHO. I think the FIA needs to find another way to punish Mclaren. Maybe a large fine or something like that. Taking away the points doesn't really help anyone. Winning the WDC or WCC because another team was docked points is like kissing your sister.
A large fine is in NO way a way to punish a team like McLaren, or any other high end team. These companies have a TON of money, so a few million is nothing to them. Heck, they probably spend that on toilet paper! (Well, not really).
Honda was suspended for 2 races for the fuel system violation. More than fair and effectively would end the chase for the title. If you have violations then you should not keep the benefit of them...points for both parties, driver and team. Very simple and quite fair based on history.
