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.

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.

WORLD CHAMPION 2009

Auto Motor und Sport claims the deal will be announced by the Italian team on Thursday at the Suzuka circuit in Japan.

“It is a possibility, but it is not guaranteed,” team boss Stefano Domenicali was quoted as saying by the Daily Telegraph in Britain, when asked if Ferrari’s next driver line-up will be known in Japan.

The newspaper said lawyers were working hard in Singapore last weekend on the finer details of Kimi Raikkonen’s release from his 2010 contract.

The Finn will reportedly return to his team of 2002-2006, with McLaren and Ferrari’s mutual sponsor Santander involved in the financial details of the move.

Team boss Martin Whitmarsh was giving little away on Sunday, but he did admit that it is his job to field the best drivers possible, while admitting he has been disappointed with Heikki Kovalainen. “We regard Kimi to be one of the biggest talents in the sport,” he told Auto Motor und Sport.

It is believed that Hamilton is not keen on the prospect of teaming up with Raikkonen. “At the moment I’m very happy with how things are in the team but we have to see what happens,” he said.

E.A. © CAPSIS International
Source: GMM

— Formula 1 VIP —

Ferrari waited too long to sign Fernando, he is the driver they need right now. Kimmi is not motivated and Felipe (in my opinion) will not be at the same capacity in the future.

Hope they confirm the sign this weekend.

What you think?

Alonso in Ferrari uniform

Hope you like it!

Well Done Nelsinho!, If you keep following absurd orders, you can have a great career.

Renault’s title sponsor ING late on Thursday said it has terminated its contract with the French team “with immediate effect.”

Mere hours after Spanish insurance backer Mutua Madrilena pulled its logos from the R29 for the same reason, the Dutch bank ING said it has also decided to end its association with Renault because of the Crashgate scandal.

It is believed that both sponsors cite a clear and serious breach of contract, due to clauses requiring the Enstone-based team to comply with FIA rules and regulations.

“ING is deeply disappointed at this turn of events, especially in the context of an otherwise successful sponsorship,” a media statement issued late on Thursday read.

The statement went out to the world’s media in the dead of the Singapore night, after team mechanics had throughout Thursday worked on the fully ING-branded cars in the pits of the Asian city-state’s street circuit.

All team equipment as well as personnel and driver apparel also carried prominent ING branding as per usual on Thursday, the day before official practice for the weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix begins.

Like Mutua Madrilena, ING had previously decided not to stay in Formula One beyond 2009.

© CAPSIS International
Source: GMM

— FORMULA 1 VIP.COM Comment —

What a blow to Renault’s f1 Program. It’s hard to believe all this is happening.

Renault compacted news:

1. Flavio Briatore fires Nelson Piquet Jr. on account of unsatisfactory results.
2. Nelson Piquet brings to light, that the crash he have on last years Singapore Grand Prix, was an order from Briatore and Pat Symonds or he (Piquet) may loose his seat for 2009
   
3. The Fia starts to investigate Renault
4. Briatore and Symonds both resign from Renault
   
5. The FIA found Renault guilty of cheating, and they receive a permanent disqualification from the sport, but this is suspended until the end of 2011 (If they cheat or make a bad move, they are gone)
   
6. Renault has to pay the investigation costs: $1.6m
   
7. The Fia Banned Briatore for life of any FIA sanctioned event, and drivers under Briatore’s management will not be elegible to get a superlicense.
   
8. Pat Symonds is banned of any FIA sanctioned event for 5 years
9. Nelson Piquet Jr. is immune of sanctions
10. Fernando Alonso is not involved in any way to these scandal
11. Sponsors Mutua Madrileña and ING both leave Renault today

We think that the team received a soft punishment, and that Nelson axed his Formula 1 career.

Enjoy the Singapore Grand Prix.

Renault cars without ING sponsorship for Singapore

“I am very grateful to Vijay Mallya for allowing me this opportunity to drive for the Scuderia Ferrari” said Fisichella. “It is true that it has always been an ambition to do this, and for Vijay [Mallya] to have allowed it to become a reality is very generous. I hope in my turn I have helped Force India grow up and be on the right path to achieve their own ambitions. They are now a very competitive team and I wish them all the very best.”

With Felipe Massa, currently recovering from injuries sustained in Hungary, out of action for the remainder of the season and test veteran Badoer failing to shine at both Valencia and Spa Francorchamps, the Italian team were left with little alternative other than to look elsewhere for the remainder of the season.

“Giancarlo and his management team approached me yesterday with the proposal from Ferrari,” stated Force India team principal Vijay Mallya. “For any Italian driver, a Ferrari race seat is a long-held dream and for Giancarlo it was no exception. No one should stand in the way of this.

“Furthermore the agreement will secure Giancarlo’s long-term future with Ferrari and it would be incorrect to jeopardise this, particularly when Giancarlo has made such a vital contribution to Force India.
”

Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali was keen to praise the outgoing Badoer as well as welcoming Fisichella to the Italian team.

“We have chosen Fisichella because we can expect him to make a valuable contribution in this final part of the season,” said Domenicali. “Giancarlo has shown, throughout his long career that he is fast and competitive and we are therefore proud to be able to run an Italian driver in our home race.”

For Badoer, his final two Grand Prix were something of a “thank you” from Ferrari for his long standing service to the team as test driver. “We wish to thank Luca Badoer for the team spirit he demonstrated in these circumstances,” said Domenicali. “It is a shame he was unable to show his true worth in these last two races, tackled under conditions which anyone would have found difficult.”

Ferrari is third in the constructors” championship and heading to its home race at Monza and will be looking to extend their 12 points cushion over the recovering McLaren Mercedes team.

Force India is expected to promote test driver Tonio Liuzzi to the race team in place of Fisichella with an announcement “in the coming days”.

Earl ALEXANDER
CAPSIS International

— FORMULA 1 VIP.COM Comment —

Great News!, Giancarlo is a great pilot, and he is reaching at last for a long and very desired dream and opportunity. We here at Formula 1 VIP, wish that he can prove to all the team owners, that he is still very competitive and ambitious. However, in the other hand… he will be just a test driver next year. Let’s wait and enjoy these last 5 races and wish for Fisico to win in Monza.