singapore hotel: No proof I was involved in Crashgate

Chủ Nhật, 28 tháng 4, 2013

No proof I was involved in Crashgate - Briatore

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Flavio Briatore says he has it in writing that he was not involved in the Singapore Crashgate scandal in 2008.

As team principal at the time, Briatore was banned from Formula One for life after his Renault driver Nelson Piquet Jnr deliberately crashed in order to help team-mate Fernando Alonso win the race. Briatore later got the ban reduced on appeal and – even though he has not returned to the sport since – he told F1 Racing in an extensive interview that his successful appeal proved he had no involvement.

“I feel the same,” Briatore said. “The court in Paris was very clear; I was not involved at all. That is what the letter said.”

Asked if he had proof in writing that he had no involvement, Briatore replied: “Yes, it’s official.

“There was no proof that I was involved in Singapore. Which is the reason I won in court. I’ve nothing more to say; I say it already at the time. If what people claimed about Singapore was true, then why did I fire Piquet in the middle of the next season? Why take that risk? Why not renew the contract because it would be 30 or 40 per cent less money and there would be no trouble if all this was true. I had Fernando back and, for me, the second driver was not important.

“I respect what was said in the court. After that, I have an agreement with Jean Todt that the FIA will not appeal. I stay away with no problem at all. I had the moral responsibility because I was in charge of the team. But now it is gone.”