MOTOR SPORT:AS FLAVIO Briatore yesterday considered taking legal action over his de facto life ban from motor sport, it emerged that his fate was sealed by a mystery whistleblower from his Renault team codenamed "Witness X".
The witness, who was not part of the conspiracy to stage a crash at the 2008 Singapore grand prix, came to light during Renault’s internal investigation and the FIA only became aware of his existence last Thursday when Renault supplied additional documents.
After being granted anonymity – only the FIA president, Max Mosley, and the body’s legal advisers are aware of his real name – Witness X was interviewed by a member of the FIA’s external counsel. Renault then made a third and final set of written submissions on Saturday which was the final nail in Briatore’s coffin.
According to the FIA, “Witness X was told of the idea suggested by Nelson Piquet Jr by [Pat] Symonds [Renault’s then head of engineering], whilst in the presence of Mr Briatore. Witness X objected to the idea. He did not know the plan was to be carried into effect until the crash happened.” The FIA also stated a team principal should not also be a driver’s manager, as was the case with Briatore and Piquet.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the United Arab Emirates’ automobile club president and an FIA vice-president, gave further insight into the World Motor Sport Council’s decision to give Renault only a suspended ban. Speaking to his local newspaper, The National, Ben Sulayem said: “We did our negotiations before and everybody is happy with the result. The verdict is fair and everyone is a winner.”
Apart from appearing to suggest the matter had been settled before the court sat in session on Monday, Ben Sulayem also hints wider considerations than Briatore’s role in fixing last year’s Singapore grand prix played a part. “I had to be loyal to my country as well as motor sport,” said Ben Sulayem, whose country hosts its first grand prix on November 1st.
“Protecting the investments Abu Dhabi has made into Formula One is my duty; it is a big show and it needs teams. We all want to see Renault [in Formula One].”
Ben Sulayem suffered embarrassment in April when he crashed a Renault F1 car during a demonstration at the Dubai Autodrome. The multiple Middle East rally champion had not driven a current F1 car before and, six seconds from the start, he gave it too many revs, the rear tyres gripped and he spun into the pit wall.
Briatore has said he wants to prove his innocence and win compensation for damage to his image. “I am distraught,” the 59-year-old Italian was quoted as saying by Gazzetta dello Sport.
Carlos Gracia, head of the Spanish motor sport federation and a member of the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council, was also shocked by the punishment. “It seems to me excessive. There was no clear proof against him and he was not able to defend himself either.”
Sports lawyers believe Briatore could have a case for arguing that the FIA’s ruling is disproportionate. “All lifetime bans in sport are difficult,” said Stephen Hornsby, a partner at Davenport Lyons. “Under EU law, bans have to be proportionate. He will argue that a lifetime ban is not.”
Guardian Service
