Archive for November, 2009

Pat Symonds is joining Flavio Briatore’s appeal against his motorsport ban, according to a British newspaper.

Symonds, Renault’s former executive director of engineering, was banned by the FIA for five years, while team boss Briatore received a life ban for refusing to acknowledge his role in the Singapore 2008 crash-gate scandal.

It emerged last month that Briatore, who maintains his innocence, is challenging the ruling and seeking €1m in damages in Paris’ Tribunal de Grande Instance high court, with a hearing set for November 24.

The Guardian, citing legal documents, said Symonds will be party to Briatore’s appeal, arguing that the FIA conducted its disciplinary hearings “in an improper fashion”.

“The decisions to carry out an investigation and to submit it to the World Council were taken by the same person, Max Mosley, the FIA president,” Briatore’s appeal statement said.   
 
It added that former president Mosley “assumed the roles of complainant, investigator, prosecutor and judge”, and made a connection between the outcome and Briatore’s role in the proposed Formula One Teams’ Association breakaway.

Bernie Ecclestone’s eligibility to vote at the World Motor Sport Council hearing is also questioned by Briatore, due to the F1 chief executive’s political desire to “be hostile to” the Italian as well as see Renault escape major sanctions.

Source: GMM
© CAPSIS International 

Briatore and Symonds

— Formula 1 VIP —

I do not think they succeed with this.

Update: Flavio Briatore’s indefinite ban from motorsport has been overturned by the Tribunal de Grande Instance in Paris.

But the FIA is considering its appeal options.

The crash gate drama continues.

 Toyota’s completed 2010 Formula One car, the TF110, is reportedly available for purchase by other teams.

The French newspaper Le Parisien said that despite the Japanese manufacturer deciding to pull out of F1 immediately, its Cologne-based team had completed the design for next season.

USF1 and Manor would be the most likely potential customers, given that fellow new entrant Lotus is working with Aerolab on its 2010 car, and the Dallara-built Campos chassis has already passed its front and lateral FIA crash tests. 

Meanwhile, development of Sauber/Qadbak’s car has been continuous despite BMW’s withdrawal, and although Toro Rosso must for the first time be a full constructor in 2010, work on the Faenza-based team’s next car is well advanced.

It is also believed that the car design of the rejected 2010 entrant Lola is for sale, after a 50% scale wind tunnel model dubbed the MB-01 was revealed recently.

E.A. © CAPSIS International
Source: GMM

Toyota 2010 car For Sale

— Formula 1 VIP —

This is a good oportunity for USF1 to get a fully constructed chassis, if the rumors are true, they don’t have a car yet and the clock is running fast.

Tokyo – TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) announces it plans to withdraw from the FIA Formula One World Championship (F1) at the end of the 2009 season.

TMC, which had viewed its participation in F1 as contributing to the prosperity of automotive culture, remained dedicated to competing at the pinnacle of motor sports, even in the face of the abrupt economic changes that started last year. However, when considering TMC’s motor-sports activities next year and beyond from a comprehensive midterm viewpoint reflecting the current severe economic realities,TMC decided to withdraw from F1.

TMC leaves F1 having compiled 13 podium and 87 point finishes over eight challenging seasons since 2002 with Panasonic Toyota Racing, a full-constructor team. It views its time in F1 – in which teams put forth their best efforts to fiercely compete at racings’ highest level – as an irreplaceable experience that provided an opportunity to develop both human resources and its R&D operations. TMC expresses its deepest appreciation to its F1 fans and others for their warm support.

TMC also wants to express its heartfelt gratitude to all Panasonic Toyota Racing drivers to date and to all Toyota Motorsport GmbH employees who have helped make the team’s achievements possible. TMC intends to do its best to find a solution for those parties who will be affected by any inconvenience this decision may cause.

Drawing on its experience in F1 and other motor sports, TMC intends to move forward in developing exciting production vehicles, such as the Lexus ‘LFA’ supercar and compact rear-wheel-drive sports cars. In motor sports, it will not only race in various categories, but will also actively contribute to further development of motor sports by supporting grassroots races and planning events in which it is easy for people to participate.

Tadashi Yamashina (Toyota F1 principal) cries, while Toyota Motor Corporation President, Akio Toyoda, anounces the news.