FIA probe into Singapore '08 - Nelson's revenge?
FIA probe into Singapore '08 - Nelson's revenge?
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AlpineWhite

Original Poster:

2,164 posts

224 months

Sunday 30th August 2009
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From autosport:

The FIA is to launch an investigation into the events at last year's Singapore Grand Prix, where Renault's Fernando Alonso claimed victory on the back of a crash by his team-mate Nelson Piquet.

Alonso's success was sealed by the timing of a safety car in the early stages of the inaugural event - which had been called out when Piquet crashed into the wall shortly after his team-mate stopped for fuel.

The timing of Piquet's crash prompted wild conspiracy theories that the Brazilian had been ordered to deliberately spin to help Renault take its maiden victory. Piquet himself insisted at the time that the accident had been caused by him simply trying too hard.

"It was my mistake," said Piquet.. "We tried two extreme strategies with Fernando quite short and me quite long in the hope of getting a safety car. If I hadn't crashed I would have been lucky with the safety car later in the race because I was very happy.

"We're always scraping the walls, and once you've touched the wall a little too much and lose control that's it."

It is understood, however, that fresh evidence about the events that took place in the race have now come to light – which has prompted the FIA to step in.

Piquet was dropped by Renault after this year's Hungarian Grand Prix, and has been outspoken in his criticisms of the outfit – and in particular team principal Flavio Briatore. It is not clear if the Brazilian himself has been a catalyst for the investigation, or if the evidence has come from elsewhere.

The FIA has not elaborated on the details of its inquiry, but a spokesperson confirmed to AUTOSPORT that an investigation was under way.

"The FIA can confirm that an investigation is underway regarding alleged events at a previous world championship race," said the spokesperson.

Should the FIA investigation suggest there is any evidence of foul play involved, then the governing body could call a hearing of the World Motor Sport Council to discuss the matter.




Could this be how Piquet Jr managed to keep his seat into this season?!

Edited by AlpineWhite on Sunday 30th August 17:23

llewop

3,958 posts

240 months

Sunday 30th August 2009
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I'd just seen this too! (started a thread too, but now deleted!)

I was thinking it was possibly a second go at slapping Renault having not made the pit-stop ban stick??


But surely; even Flav wouldn't be stupid enough to tell Piquet to put it in the wall to fluke a Fernando win??

mc_blue

2,548 posts

247 months

Sunday 30th August 2009
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I'm surprised by this, could you honestly see the team telling him to crash?

james_gt3rs

4,816 posts

220 months

Sunday 30th August 2009
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I think it was a lucky coincidence in the race, and if they were going to investigate it, why didn't they do it last year?

FourWheelDrift

92,281 posts

313 months

Sunday 30th August 2009
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mc_blue said:
I'm surprised by this, could you honestly see the team telling him to crash?
Flavio came on Piquet's radio just as he was coming out of the corner and went "BOOOOOOO!" it scared Piquet and he spun.

DSM2

3,624 posts

229 months

Sunday 30th August 2009
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FourWheelDrift said:
mc_blue said:
I'm surprised by this, could you honestly see the team telling him to crash?
Flavio came on Piquet's radio just as he was coming out of the corner and went "BOOOOOOO!" it scared Piquet and he spun.
Well, that would probably work too..................

AlpineWhite

Original Poster:

2,164 posts

224 months

Sunday 30th August 2009
quotequote all
james_gt3rs said:
I think it was a lucky coincidence in the race, and if they were going to investigate it, why didn't they do it last year?
Possibly because the FIA has new evidence that it didn't previously have?

mikechandler

1,998 posts

231 months

Sunday 30th August 2009
quotequote all
james_gt3rs said:
I think it was a lucky coincidence in the race, and if they were going to investigate it, why didn't they do it last year?
Possibly because Piquet towed the party line but has now decided to unburden his guilty conscience scratchchin

minghis

1,578 posts

280 months

Sunday 30th August 2009
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From what I recall of that incident it was quite a heavy impact, he certainly hit the wall hard.

Unless young Nelson has a deathwish I doubt very much that he would have put himself at that much risk of personal harm. I could understand a Schumacher 'Monaco moment' but not a proper in the wall crash such as this one.

Time will tell.

DIW35

4,204 posts

229 months

Sunday 30th August 2009
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Bit like Alonso really, when he became disenchanted with what was happening at McLaren. You know what they say, what goes around comes around!

andygo

7,391 posts

284 months

Sunday 30th August 2009
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minghis said:
From what I recall of that incident it was quite a heavy impact, he certainly hit the wall hard.

Unless young Nelson has a deathwish I doubt very much that he would have put himself at that much risk of personal harm. I could understand a Schumacher 'Monaco moment' but not a proper in the wall crash such as this one.

Time will tell.
He probably didn't want to hit the wall hard, but

1/. given his level of competance...

or

2/. Thought if Flav wants me to crash its gonna cost him, so I'll give him a biggy.

FourWheelDrift

92,281 posts

313 months

Sunday 30th August 2009
quotequote all
He practised the planned manoeuvre during the warmup lap, this is attempt number 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feXvqfttAuw

sstw

1,209 posts

216 months

Sunday 30th August 2009
quotequote all
FourWheelDrift said:
He practised the planned manoeuvre during the warmup lap, this is attempt number 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feXvqfttAuw
whoa! yikes That was very similiar!

In all likelyhood it's complete nonsense but you've got to love a conspiracy theory

Mini1275

11,098 posts

211 months

Sunday 30th August 2009
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Why dont the F.I.A just decide results after the race, and not bother racing rolleyes

Cara Van Man

29,977 posts

280 months

Sunday 30th August 2009
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Sounds like he's decided to bring Flabio down.

<snigger>

team underdog

938 posts

258 months

Sunday 30th August 2009
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They never needed to tell him to crash - he managed that perfectly well on his own!! This sounds like sour grapes to me...

The Hypno-Toad

13,305 posts

234 months

Sunday 30th August 2009
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Well just hope that his daddy really is going to buy him an F1 team because as sure as st no team boss will touch him after this if it is true. However......

<dons tinfoil helmet>

Renault get chucked out the championship....

1.) That means that Alonso can activate his disrepute clause and swan off to Ferrari for Monza which of course someone really wants.
2.) That someone gets his revenge on Flav for being the leader of the FOTA breakaway.
3.) That Renault decide not to come back and someones favourite engine supplier gets another customer or two and someones dream of a one engine formula gets just a little closer.

<removes tinfoil helmet, gets coat> getmecoat

AndrewW-G

11,968 posts

246 months

Sunday 30th August 2009
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Sounds very much like a man who doesnt want to be a professional racing driver any more. Can you think of any team owner / manager who'd give him a seat after this?

Scuffers

20,887 posts

303 months

Sunday 30th August 2009
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AndrewW-G said:
Sounds very much like a man who doesnt want to be a professional racing driver any more. Can you think of any team owner / manager who'd give him a seat after this?
do you think he had a chance before this then?

AlpineWhite

Original Poster:

2,164 posts

224 months

Sunday 30th August 2009
quotequote all
I wouldn't tpuch him with a bargepole! Of course, I don't run a racing team... However it's not that dissimilar to the Alonso/McLaren falling out, but he's got the driving skills to get himself a new seat, while Piquet seemingly doesn't.