91MR2 sent this to me an hour or so ago, but I was waiting for more news sources before posting it. It’s on 3 or 4 now (PlanetF1, F1.racing-live, ITV) so it looks to be legit. Due to Stephneygate McLaren has been excluded from the 2007 and 2008 championship points. Let’s see if this pans out like the Toyota WRC ban from '95 where the drivers were screwed too.
I can honestly say I’m REALLY surprised, figured a large cash fine, but not exclusion to one of the sport’s oldest, most profitable, and prestigious teams.
According to the latest set of articles from 10 minutes ago, Alonso and Hamilton are safe for WDC points the rest of the season, '08 hasnt been announced. Also, Planet F1 is reporting a $100m fine for McLaren, but planet F1 is a bit of a tabloid so we’ll see if that is true.
I still don’t see why there is such a fuss. It’s not like McLaren went out searching for this info, it fell into their laps. If anyone should be punished, it should be Ferrari punishing themselves for having sloppy security that let something like this out in the first place.
According to the latest set of articles from 10 minutes ago, Alonso and Hamilton are safe for WDC points the rest of the season, '08 hasnt been announced. Also, Planet F1 is reporting a $100m fine for McLaren, but planet F1 is a bit of a tabloid so we’ll see if that is true.
I still don’t see why there is such a fuss. It’s not like McLaren went out searching for this info, it fell into their laps. If anyone should be punished, it should be Ferrari punishing themselves for having sloppy security that let something like this out in the first place.
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That’s been my opinion the whole time. Oh well, no point in watching anymore F1 races this season.
I also find it highly suspicious that the World Motor Sport Council that passed this decision down only has one team represented in its membership. That being Ferrari. No other team is represented on this board.
There is no Ferrari conspiracy. This has a lot to do with McLaren telling the FIA they had the documents but didnt use them (first hearing, found guilty, but not punished) and then new information coming to light through an employee and then emails between del la rosa and alonso on car setup based on Ferrari information from the seven hundred odd page document. McLaren lied to the FIA about cheating off of another manufacturers playbook and got caught. Toyota in '95 WRC all over again. They should be thankful they have the McLaren name/history or they would’ve been straight up BANNED.
and then new information coming to light through an employee and then emails between del la rosa and alonso on car setup based on Ferrari information from the seven hundred odd page document
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Proof? The emails stated they discussed the information. At no point in time did they setup the cars based on it. Hopefully the new “information” will be made public today and show this to be false because so far there has been nothing but speculation concerning this matter.
If they had any SOLID proof of use of the information, then they would’ve DQed Hamilton and Alonso for the drivers championship. The fact that those two are allowed to continue makes me think their is a lot more posturing going on by Ferrari due to who received the information. I mean, Toyota was caugt red handed cheating last 2 years and NOTHING was done about it, but McLaren is now getting banished for possession (not their fault) of information that they didn’t actively seek?
If they had any SOLID proof of use of the information, then they would’ve DQed Hamilton and Alonso for the drivers championship. The fact that those two are allowed to continue makes me think their is a lot more posturing going on by Ferrari due to who received the information. I mean, Toyota was caugt red handed cheating last 2 years and NOTHING was done about it, but McLaren is now getting banished for possession (not their fault) of information that they didn’t actively seek?
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What if the info ended up in the hands of Honda, BMW or even Toro Rosso? Would the situation be the same, or is it because McMerc is leading the championship?
not necessarily, I think that’s the total cost assuming that McLaren would win the constructors championship. I think they’ll end up paying more like $30M but still that is a huge chunk of cash.
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What if the info ended up in the hands of Honda, BMW or even Toro Rosso? Would the situation be the same, or is it because McMerc is leading the championship?
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Bingo.
And in other news and rumors:
There is a rumor that the whole rehash of the Stepneygate scandal is the result of a failed attempt by Alonso to blackmail McLaren into making him the number 1 driver and giving team orders to Hamilton to back off.
i.e., Alonso said that he would turn over the info unless he was #1.
The Speed Team alludes to it on their F1 roundtable here: http://www.speedtv.com/
Matchett said he wouldn’t touch Alonso’s car.
perfectly said… i agree 100%