Autosport, quoting McLaren barrister Ian Mill making his case at the FIA International Court of Appeal, wrote:The principle is clear. If there was a breach, it was performance-enhancing. The sanction, I'm afraid, has to be disqualification.
I ask you to address this as though it was any team at any stage of the season.
Whenever in the past there has been a disqualification, there has been a re-classification ... All we ask you to do is what normally happens.
Autosport, quoting Martin Whitmarsh, wrote:At today's hearing all parties had the opportunity to present evidence and make arguments based on their respective perception of the facts. It now lies with the FIA International Court of Appeal to deliberate and issue a decision.
As I made clear prior to the appeal, the team was seeking to clarify the regulatory uncertainty that has arisen from a decision of the FIA Stewards at the 2007 Brazilian Grand Prix and not to win the Driver's World Championship.
Our lawyer's argument that an appropriate penalty would be a disqualification of the cars is based on the fact that this is ordinarily what has occurred during the last 20 years in Formula One when there was a breach of a technical regulation during a race.
Consequently whilst this was the only appropriate argument from a legal point of view, it's not our ultimate goal in respect of today's hearing.
So if Hamilton just happens to land the WDC, it's just "collateral damage" compared to getting a clarification, something that McLaren could've requested and achieved for future reference from the FIA without ever challenging any past race result or procedure? OK, the team and especially its leadership consists of very ambitious and competitive people. That goes almost without saying.
It's just natural that taking in all that happened during the season will take some time and some effort. But if they seriously expect the above arguments to fly with anyone, aren't they seriously underestimating the F1 fan base? If they don't expect the above arguments to make sense, isn't that just a verbal way to "flip the bird" towards anyone within perceptive range? At this point it'd be more honest to say:
"Yeah, we don't mind 'winning' this way. What does it matter? We've been involved in rampant litigation and regulatory actions all season long, and at least half of that we've initiated by our own accord. That's part and parcel of F1 today and we'll use it to full effect, lest anyone else beats us to it."
Do I actually care whether Lewis or Kimi is 'confirmed' as champion as the result of this? Not a chance, too much water under the bridge. What possible argument could I find to determine the 'worthy' champion? The fact is, I feel sorry for both, they both deserve better. What's important here is that precious few have taken responsibility of F1's general interest lately, while a veritable army has been chipping away at its base and credentials. Too little, too late. What does it say about F1, if fans become indifferent about the championships? Out of necessity?
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/63957
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/63949
