[DOF_power]

FIA confirm McLaren fine and loss of points


PARIS, Sept 13 (Reuters) - Formula One leaders Vodafone McLaren Mercedes have been stripped of all their points in the 2007 constructors championship and fined $100 million as a result of a spying controversy, the governing body confirmed on Thursday.
However, championship leader Lewis Hamilton and team mate Fernando Alonso have kept their points in the drivers' championship.
"The WMSC (World Motor Sports Council) has stripped Vodafone McLaren Mercedes of all constructors points in the 2007 FIA Formula One world championship and the team can score no points for the remainder of the season," the FIA said.
"Furthermore the team will pay a fine equal to $100 million, less the FOM income lost as a result of the points deduction," it added.
The decision means Ferrari, currently second overall and 57 points clear of BMW Sauber with four races remaining, look certain to be crowned champions.
Asked if justice had been done, the president of the FIA Max Mosley said "Yes".

FIA confirm McLaren fine and loss of points | Breaking news | Guardian Unlimited Sport

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And:

Finally, America gets to hear about F1

14/09/2007



A couple of years back, Formula One stuck up the proverbial two fingers at American race fans when six cars contested the United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis.
Since then, other than insulting Danica Patrick F1 has managed to further antagonise its remaining American fans by dropping the US from the calendar and informing them that F1 does not need America... even though it remains the holy grail for the car manufacturers.
Though Michael Schumacher can walk the streets of New York unrecognised, such is F1's attraction in the US, the sport has finally got the American media recognition it craves.
For many broadcasters and newspapers the Paris saga is big news. On Fox News, the story of McLaren's $100m fine was the third most important news item, after 'Bush to order 5,700 troops home by end of year'.
Indeed, reader Kai Radicke writes: "The Spy Scandal has managed to get F1 a small segment my local news here in the USA! Tonight on the 6PM news on NBC here in Philadelphia, there was a 30 second story about the F1 spy scandal and the "$100 million dollar fine"
As they say, all publicity is good publicity... way to go guys.

pitpass - the latest, hottest F1 & A1GP news

FIA press release:

[DOF_power]

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^ And you tough NASCAR was about points and fine penalties.

[jks812]

WOW... I guess they don't play there.Maybe Nascar could learn something from these guys.

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by jks812

WOW... I guess they don't play there.Maybe Nascar could learn something from these guys.

Never happen... as soon as they hammer down on a team like that they would have to follow through again if Hendrick was caught.

[DOF_power]

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^ Interesting is that possessing another team's data is not a breach of the International Sporting Code, the Formula One Technical Regulations, or the Formula One Sporting Regulations. Using that data in competition is, but possessing is not.

[jks812]

Originally Posted by Quality88

Never happen... as soon as they hammer down on a team like that they would have to follow through again if Hendrick was caught.

I guess you have a very good point there.

[wingkey1]

"fine equal to $100 million, less the FOM income lost as a result of the points deduction," - meaning the fine can possibly be $0.

The number looks oh so impressive till ya think about it.

[thunderfoot]

Look what the NFL did today to the Pats coach. 500 large aint chicken scratch. If teams in NASCAR got fined like that then maybe there would not be any cheating. I used a good excuse once and it got me only a laugh and a head confiscated. The excuse? "This is not cheating, it's a CREATIVE INTERPRETATION OF THE RULES"

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by thunderfoot

Look what the NFL did today to the Pats coach. 500 large aint chicken scratch. If teams in NASCAR got fined like that then maybe there would not be any cheating. I used a good excuse once and it got me only a laugh and a head confiscated. The excuse? "This is not cheating, it's a CREATIVE INTERPRETATION OF THE RULES"

Look at Bill Belachek's yearly income versus that of a NASCAR crew chief. I think generally you'll see the difference there.

[DOF_power]

Originally Posted by wingkey1

"fine equal to $100 million, less the FOM income lost as a result of the points deduction," - meaning the fine can possibly be $0.

The number looks oh so impressive till ya think about it.

That amounts to about 50 million. But the net loss is still a net 100 million.
Then again McLaren's turnover is of 450-500 million per year. Ferrari and Toyota also being in this area. So it won't kill them.

[Souporscotty]

I'll bet good ol' Brian is thinkin'; " One hundred million? Why didn't I think of that?"

[thunderfoot]

Originally Posted by Souporscotty

I'll bet good ol' Brian is thinkin'; " One hundred million? Why didn't I think of that?"

'cause he dont got that many fingers or toes

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Souporscotty

I'll bet good ol' Brian is thinkin'; " One hundred million? Why didn't I think of that?"

Scotty, did you notice that, like NA$CAR, no mention was made as to stripping the drivers of their wins, nor of denying Alonzo of his championship? Nor was any reference made as to sending McClaren home for a number of races?

Plus, from what I've read, that $100 million might be a nebulous amount and is based on team profits for this year, and future years.

I've also heard that Juan Pablo, who raced for McClaren, has stated he wishes to make no comments on the matter.

[DOF_power]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

Scotty, did you notice that, like NA$CAR, no mention was made as to stripping the drivers of their wins, nor of denying Alonzo of his championship? Nor was any reference made as to sending McClaren home for a number of races?

Plus, from what I've read, that $100 million might be a nebulous amount and is based on team profits for this year, and future years.

I've also heard that Juan Pablo, who raced for McClaren, has stated he wishes to make no comments on the matter.

Well the drivers were given immunity if they'd blow the wistle.
Alonso (quite happily) and test driver De la Rosa did so, Hamilton said he didn't knew anything (though I somehow doubt it). And FIA president Mosley praised Alonso for doing that and warned McLaren if they'd do anything against him.


But it's a win win for FIA:
McLaren penalty = $$$$$$
McLaren drivers fighting for the WDC = $$$$$$
In the end, a lot of $$$$$$$$$$$.

And then there's the politics.
FIA president Mosley wanted to **** McLaren boss Ron Dennis for quite a while, and this was the perfect opportunity. Alonso also wanted to **** McLaren/Dennis for the way they treated him and the Hungary incident.
Gone are the days when a driver would punch his team boss/superior and leave him with a bloody nose and maybe some broken teeth, now it's political.

[wingkey1]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

Scotty, did you notice that, like NA$CAR, no mention was made as to stripping the drivers of their wins, nor of denying Alonzo of his championship? Nor was any reference made as to sending McClaren home for a number of races?

Plus, from what I've read, that $100 million might be a nebulous amount and is based on team profits for this year, and future years.

I've also heard that Juan Pablo, who raced for McClaren, has stated he wishes to make no comments on the matter.

"a nebulous amount and is based on team profits for this year, and future years" - that too is the interpretation here after listening to the (here comes a loose term) experts that give us the news. There is apparently "flexibility" allowing the penalized to do some estimating of future lost earnings. A wise estimater / negotiator would not seek $0, but it sure won't be anything near the amount being tossed about by the "media experts".