And the FIA verdict on legality of '08 McLaren...

[flemke]

Has been deferred for two months.

This people are beyond a joke.




McLaren must wait for 2008 car clearance

By Jonathan Noble Friday, December 7th 2007, 13:11 GMT


McLaren will have to wait until four weeks before the start of next season to find out whether or not their car has been approved for use by the FIA.

A meeting of the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) in Monaco today was due to discuss whether or not any Ferrari intellectual property had been used on McLaren's 2008 challenger.

This came after a detailed examination recently of the designs for the MP4-23 at McLaren's Woking headquarters by FIA-appointed officials.

However, the WMSC felt that it would be better if both McLaren and Ferrari had some input into the findings of the report, so a new meeting has been pencilled in for February 14, 2008.

(from www.autosport.com)

[10 Pence Short]

Why should Ferrari have any input whatsoever?

[Stu R]

This is getting rediculous. I'm not a die hard fan of any team in particular, and have no agenda, but how anyone can claim there's no bias against Mclaren and in favour of ferarri is beyond me.
A pox on the FIA and the twunts that run it.

Edited by Stu R on Friday 7th December 13:33

[chrisbr68]

This is all starting to piss me off, cant we just see a genuine racing series without all this shit? Surely Mclaren are being picked on?

Nice to see they scheduled it for Valentines day.

[grumbledoak]

10 Pence Short said:

Why should Ferrari have any input whatsoever?

Because Fewwawi might not be able to beat nasty McLaren if they haven't already seen the design, and they'll go all sulky wulky.

This pantomine is missing only the horse.

[10 Pence Short]

Thinking about it, if I was Ron, I'd withdraw the team altogether from the 2008 championship.

[Ahonen]

What a farce. The Autosport report seems to suggest that every other team is going to be able to look at their designs too.

Utterly ridiculous. I didn't think they were capable of sinking any lower, but it's happened. Naturally, they'll find something wrong with a critical part in Feb, giving McLaren little time to react.

W*nkers, utter w*nkers.

[10 Pence Short]

It's about time Mercedes showed a bit of clout against this. It's getting beyond a joke.

[LanCat]

Maybe their arrogance has finally taken them a step too far?

http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpass_news_item.p...

[8Ace]

Ahonen said:

Naturally, they'll find something wrong with a critical part in Feb, giving McLaren little time to react.

Indeed. Doubtless we'll find that the investigation rules that a critical part cannot be used. Given this is 4 weeks prior to the first GP it gives McL very little time to adapt an earlier design, or design new part that integrates well with the rest of the car. A complete nonsense.

I think the following sums up the PH view:

you Mr Mosley, you and the (prancing) horse you rode in on.

Edited by 8Ace on Friday 7th December 13:46

[10 Pence Short]

How funny would it be if The Times proved in the Civil court that the FIA were carrying out a 'witch hunt' against McLaren.

At least it would be the end of Mosely.

[megy]

Lets look at this in a different light, by feb 14th most of the pre season testing will have been done with the new car (McLaren said they would have the new car at Jerez in early jan) and so the other teams and especially Ferrari/FIA will have a gauge as to how competitive the car may be, I know we say testing bears no resemblance to race, but if needs must, Ferrari/FIA will say its very similar. So if the car does well, then there will be more reason to find something.

Does anyone actually see McLaren being allowed the car as it is?

[air cooled]

The time is rapidly approaching for Daimler Benz to pull the plug on the 2008 F1 season. Especially as Renault have used the same approach.

Maybe PH should have a rally outside of McLaren HQ ?
Nice run out and maybe get some "Feck off Mole-sly" publicity.

[motormania]

Well done Max you PRIZE PRICK! Lets let the spa saga roll well into 2008.

Both you and Bernie have totally lost the plot now. F1 is a total shambles thanks to both of you. Go spend ya momey the both on you on a retirement well away from anything associated with motorsport and never come back.

Edited by motormania on Friday 7th December 14:27

[The Hypno-Toad]

Because Bernie & Max HATE Big Ron for trying to set up the break away championship a few years ago and are trying to make him pay. When he quits all this anti Mclaren stuff will go away

In all these matters that is one thing that you have to remember. I'm actually quite surprised that anyone thought that this would end with any other conclusion.

[patmahe]

motormania said:

Welcome done Max you PRIZE PRICK! Lets let the spa saga roll well into 2008.

Both you and Bernie have totally lost the plot now. F1 is a total shambles thanks to both of you. Go spend ya momey the both on you on a retirement well away from anything associated with motorsport and never come back.

+1

Stop ruining the sport and go and spend your money

[toomuchbeer]

LanCat said:

Maybe their arrogance has finally taken them a step too far?

http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpass_news_item.p...

So, the FIA are gonna sue the Sunday Times. Interestingley, this time it will be in a real court of Law, not their own mickey Mouse affair of 'yes we know your not guilty, but we dont like you so there....'

Time will tell, but I am sure the Sunday Times will go gun's a blazing on this one, and the FIA will end up with egg on their faces. Outcome, Sunday times win, awarded costs, $100 million anyone.!!

[andyps]

So the FIA pop in to Renault, have a chat and a cup of tea and decide that there is nothing remotely resembling a McLaren part in the 2008 Renault. Meanwhile, they send a team in to McLaren and inspect every component of the car, look at the time lines of the development of all those components and then take three months to decide if there is anything remotely resembling a Ferrari part in the McLaren, and then only when they have "consulted" with Ferrari about the more interesting parts of the McLaren to let them have time to ponder the design implications.

Whilst this may not be a true and accurate account of what happened it is the impression I have from the actions and reports from the FIA. Unfortunately I am pretty sure that Ferrari will convince MM that a critical element of the McLaren incorporates their IP forcing McLaren to go back to the drawing board and massively reducing their competitiveness in 2008 - I am being generous here and thinking that even MM can see the damage that would be done if McLaren were banned for the season.

Sure, the depth of investigation into McLaren may take longer to analyse than the quick glance at the Renault, but beyond that, nothing makes sense. Except in MM's head presumably.

Ron has to keep going - it is the honourable thing to do, but I can see why he might be tempted to give in and tell the FIA where to get off.

Rather than a demonstration outside McLaren we need to go to the Place de la Concorde in Paris and demonstrate about an organisation based there which is bringing motorsport into disrepute.

[williamp]

megy said:

Lets look at this in a different light, by feb 14th most of the pre season testing will have been done with the new car (McLaren said they would have the new car at Jerez in early jan) and so the other teams and especially Ferrari/FIA will have a gauge as to how competitive the car may be, I know we say testing bears no resemblance to race, but if needs must, Ferrari/FIA will say its very similar. So if the car does well, then there will be more reason to find something.

Does anyone actually see McLaren being allowed the car as it is?

Nope. I think they will re-use this years car, and just deveop that car instead afterall, that car was designed in late 2006, before the whole cheating match started. That way they cannot accuse anyone of anything. And the 07 (MP4/25?????) was a very quickcar.

They did this a few years ago too: wasnt it the MP4/22 which never raced, as they kept last eyars car and just updated that were necessary.

Of course, with all the changes due after 2008, this might put them on ther backfoot for 10 years. I wonder if thats the FIA's long term plan, and we're assuming they are less intelligent then they actually are...

[tank slapper]

megy said:

Lets look at this in a different light, by feb 14th most of the pre season testing will have been done with the new car (McLaren said they would have the new car at Jerez in early jan) and so the other teams and especially Ferrari/FIA will have a gauge as to how competitive the car may be, I know we say testing bears no resemblance to race, but if needs must, Ferrari/FIA will say its very similar. So if the car does well, then there will be more reason to find something.

Does anyone actually see McLaren being allowed the car as it is?

That is exactly what I thought - If the McLaren looks like it has a chance of beating the Ferarri, some technical infringement will be found and a points penalty imposed to put them on the back foot. If the McLaren is obviously miles faster, then they will get disqualified.