Flavio Briatore intends to pursue legal action against the Piquet family now that his ban from international motorsport has been overturned by a French court.
The former Renault boss had announced he would sue Nelson Piquet Jr and his father when the Singapore 'crashgate' scandal first broke in September last year, but then parted company with Renault and was given an indefinite ban from involvement in motor racing by the FIA's World Motor Sport Council.
That sentence was declared 'irregular' by the Tribunal de Grande Instance in Paris yesterday - although the FIA is investigating its appeal options.
When asked by Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport if he was now planning to take action against the Piquets, Briatore replied: "That's very likely. The bad that has been done to me won't be forgotten in one day."
Briatore also reiterated his insistence that the ban was influenced by personal disputes between himself and former FIA president Max Mosley.
"It was a case of vengeance from Mosley, who has always managed the FIA and the World Council as if it was private property," he said.
"He had reassured me, telling me they understood I didn't have anything to do with that story. Then came that verdict. It was an ignoble thing after 18 years of F1.
"First Mosley tried to make me lose titles, first with Schumi then with Alonso, and then to destroy me with this story."
He expects to have a better relationship with the FIA under its new president Jean Todt.
"I've known Jean for years, I can bet on his honesty," said Briatore. "This is an issue between me and Mr Mosley."
He also doubts whether the FIA will be able to appeal against yesterday's decision.
"I wouldn't do it after such a verdict," he said.
Briatore suggested yesterday that he had not yet decided whether to return to Formula 1, but he intends to resume his driver management activities - another area that was affected by the FIA ban.
"Except for [Heikki] Kovalainen and [Lucas] di Grassi, my relationship with the other drivers has never changed," he said.
"In fact, now we'll analyse the situation with the lawyers to see whether we should take legal action against anyone who has broken the contracts with us."
News from Formula One in the Formation Lap.
Showing posts with label Briatore. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Briatore. Show all posts
Wednesday, 6 January 2010
Tuesday, 5 January 2010
FIA's reaction to Ex-Renault pair.
The FIA notes the Decision of the Tribunal de Grande Instance of Paris in relation to Mr. Briatore and Mr. Symonds.
The Court has rejected the claims for damages made by Mr. Briatore and Mr. Symonds and their claim for an annulment of the FIA's decision. In particular, the Court did not examine the facts and has not reversed the FIA's finding that both Briatore and Symonds conspired to cause an intentional crash at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix.
However, the Court did question the FIA's authority to impose bans upon Mr. Briatore and Mr. Symonds for procedural reasons and because they are not FIA licence holders and, according to the Court, are therefore not subject to any FIA rules. The FIA's ability to exclude those who intentionally put others' lives at risk has never before been put into doubt and the FIA is carefully considering its appeal options on this point.
The Court’s decision is not enforceable until the FIA's appeal options have been exhausted. Until then, the World Motor Sport Council’s decision continues to apply.
In addition, the FIA intends to consider appropriate actions to ensure that no persons who would engage, or who have engaged, in such dangerous activities or acts of intentional cheating will be allowed to participate in Formula One in the future.
The Court has rejected the claims for damages made by Mr. Briatore and Mr. Symonds and their claim for an annulment of the FIA's decision. In particular, the Court did not examine the facts and has not reversed the FIA's finding that both Briatore and Symonds conspired to cause an intentional crash at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix.
However, the Court did question the FIA's authority to impose bans upon Mr. Briatore and Mr. Symonds for procedural reasons and because they are not FIA licence holders and, according to the Court, are therefore not subject to any FIA rules. The FIA's ability to exclude those who intentionally put others' lives at risk has never before been put into doubt and the FIA is carefully considering its appeal options on this point.
The Court’s decision is not enforceable until the FIA's appeal options have been exhausted. Until then, the World Motor Sport Council’s decision continues to apply.
In addition, the FIA intends to consider appropriate actions to ensure that no persons who would engage, or who have engaged, in such dangerous activities or acts of intentional cheating will be allowed to participate in Formula One in the future.
Sunday, 27 December 2009
Frenchman Eric Boullier to replace Briatore at Renault
Renault are starting a new chapter in 2010 with a new team boss
Renault have picked Frenchman Eric Boullier as their new team principal to replace Flavio Briatore.
Boullier, 36, was formerly the managing director of French team DAMS, a leading force in the GP2 feeder category.
He was introduced to personnel at the Renault team's Oxfordshire base on Tuesday by new team owner Gerard Lopez.
Briatore left Renault in September in the wake of the scandal over the team's attempts to fix the outcome of the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix.
Briatore was found guilty of asking Nelson Piquet Jr to crash deliberately to aid team-mate Fernando Alonso's chances of winning.
Technical director Bob Bell was named acting team principal for the final four races of the season following Briatore's departure, but he has now returned to his former role.
BBC Sport understands Lopez, whose Genii Capital company has bought 75% of the Renault F1 team, wanted to reassure the team that he is serious about them being a leading force in F1, and that they have long-term plans to achieve that aim.
606: DEBATE
Tell us what you think of Renault's decision
Lopez also met with lead driver Robert Kubica, who was signed to replace double world champion Alonso, who has moved to Ferrari.
Kubica's manager Daniele Morelli has told BBC Sport that the Pole wants some reassurances about the future of the Renault team before committing to drive for them in 2010.
Boullier, an engineer by trade who has no previous experience in F1, was not willing to confirm his appointment when BBC Sport contacted him on Wednesday.
"There are some discussions, but it is definitely still pending further discussion," he said. "It's one possibility."
Boullier knows Lopez through DAMS's contacts with the Luxembourg businessman's driver management company Gravity.
Boullier left DAMS at the end of 2008 and has worked for Genii's driver management business for the last year.
Renault have picked Frenchman Eric Boullier as their new team principal to replace Flavio Briatore.
Boullier, 36, was formerly the managing director of French team DAMS, a leading force in the GP2 feeder category.
He was introduced to personnel at the Renault team's Oxfordshire base on Tuesday by new team owner Gerard Lopez.
Briatore left Renault in September in the wake of the scandal over the team's attempts to fix the outcome of the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix.
Briatore was found guilty of asking Nelson Piquet Jr to crash deliberately to aid team-mate Fernando Alonso's chances of winning.
Technical director Bob Bell was named acting team principal for the final four races of the season following Briatore's departure, but he has now returned to his former role.
BBC Sport understands Lopez, whose Genii Capital company has bought 75% of the Renault F1 team, wanted to reassure the team that he is serious about them being a leading force in F1, and that they have long-term plans to achieve that aim.
606: DEBATE
Tell us what you think of Renault's decision
Lopez also met with lead driver Robert Kubica, who was signed to replace double world champion Alonso, who has moved to Ferrari.
Kubica's manager Daniele Morelli has told BBC Sport that the Pole wants some reassurances about the future of the Renault team before committing to drive for them in 2010.
Boullier, an engineer by trade who has no previous experience in F1, was not willing to confirm his appointment when BBC Sport contacted him on Wednesday.
"There are some discussions, but it is definitely still pending further discussion," he said. "It's one possibility."
Boullier knows Lopez through DAMS's contacts with the Luxembourg businessman's driver management company Gravity.
Boullier left DAMS at the end of 2008 and has worked for Genii's driver management business for the last year.
Wednesday, 25 November 2009
Briatore has to wait until January to learn F1 fate
Former Renault team boss Flavio Briatore will discover on January 5 whether his appeal against a lifetime ban from motor racing, imposed by the FIA, is to be overturned.
Briatore's lawyer Philippe Ouakrat on Tuesday attended the Tribunal de Grande Instance in Paris to outline his client's assertion that the punishment handed down by motor sport's governing body in September was illegal. The 59-year-old Italian is also demanding damages of just over £900,000.
Briatore was involved in a conspiracy which saw Nelson Piquet Jnr deliberately crash his car at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix in order to help team-mate Fernando Alonso take the win.
"My client vigorously and utterly contests having been aware of such a
conspiracy," Ouakrat told the court.
"The FIA has to overturn its decision... because it's an illegal order in terms of its results and the manner in which it was carried out."
Jean-François Prat, representing the FIA, insists there was a definite link between Piquet's crash, and Briatore.
"He (Piquet) accepted to do it (crash) because he wanted to see his driver's contract renewed for the next season and it was Flavio Briatore who was in charge of these questions."
Briatore claims former FIA president Max Mosley was "blinded by an excessive desire for personal revenge" in pursuing the case, and believes the FIA did not have legal grounds to issue him with a wholesale ban from motor sport.
"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 said in a statement earlier this month.
The statement added that Mosley "assumed the roles of complainant, investigator, prosecutor and judge" in what Briatore claims was a breach of the "most basic rules of procedure and the rights to a fair trial".
Briatore's claim that the FIA World Council chaired by Mosley was out for "personal revenge" stems from his involvement in plans for a breakaway series, an issue that rumbled on through much of last season before an agreement was reached for manufacturers to stay in Formula One.
Renault's former executive director of engineering Pat Symonds also appealed against his five-year ban for involvement in the scandal at Tuesday's hearing
Briatore's lawyer Philippe Ouakrat on Tuesday attended the Tribunal de Grande Instance in Paris to outline his client's assertion that the punishment handed down by motor sport's governing body in September was illegal. The 59-year-old Italian is also demanding damages of just over £900,000.
Briatore was involved in a conspiracy which saw Nelson Piquet Jnr deliberately crash his car at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix in order to help team-mate Fernando Alonso take the win.
"My client vigorously and utterly contests having been aware of such a
conspiracy," Ouakrat told the court.
"The FIA has to overturn its decision... because it's an illegal order in terms of its results and the manner in which it was carried out."
Jean-François Prat, representing the FIA, insists there was a definite link between Piquet's crash, and Briatore.
"He (Piquet) accepted to do it (crash) because he wanted to see his driver's contract renewed for the next season and it was Flavio Briatore who was in charge of these questions."
Briatore claims former FIA president Max Mosley was "blinded by an excessive desire for personal revenge" in pursuing the case, and believes the FIA did not have legal grounds to issue him with a wholesale ban from motor sport.
"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 said in a statement earlier this month.
The statement added that Mosley "assumed the roles of complainant, investigator, prosecutor and judge" in what Briatore claims was a breach of the "most basic rules of procedure and the rights to a fair trial".
Briatore's claim that the FIA World Council chaired by Mosley was out for "personal revenge" stems from his involvement in plans for a breakaway series, an issue that rumbled on through much of last season before an agreement was reached for manufacturers to stay in Formula One.
Renault's former executive director of engineering Pat Symonds also appealed against his five-year ban for involvement in the scandal at Tuesday's hearing
Friday, 13 November 2009
FIA criticises Briatore's data leaking
The FIA has condemned the leaking of documents from Flavio Briatore's legal case against Formula 1's ruling body.
In documents seen by the Guardian newspaper, Briatore accused former FIA president Max Mosley of being "clearly blinded by an excessive desire for personal revenge."
Former Renault boss Briatore was banned from Formula 1 for life after he was found guilty of taking part in a race-fixing plot during the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix.
The Italian is suing the FIA and asking for a total annulment of the ban. According to the Guardian, Briatore is also demanding €1 million in compensation for damages to his image.
The governing body on Thursday criticised the leaking of documents to the press and denied the accusations made in them.
"The FIA condemns the selective leaking of extracts from Mr Briatore's pleadings to the Tribunal de Grande Instance in Paris," said the FIA in a statement.
"The FIA rejects the allegations made in these leaks and confirms that the decision to impose a sanction against Mr Briatore was made by an overwhelming majority of the attending World Motor Sport Council members.
"In respect for the authority of the French Court, it would be entirely inappropriate for the FIA to comment further on this matter in advance of the hearing."
The case will be heard on 24 November in Paris.
In documents seen by the Guardian newspaper, Briatore accused former FIA president Max Mosley of being "clearly blinded by an excessive desire for personal revenge."
Former Renault boss Briatore was banned from Formula 1 for life after he was found guilty of taking part in a race-fixing plot during the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix.
The Italian is suing the FIA and asking for a total annulment of the ban. According to the Guardian, Briatore is also demanding €1 million in compensation for damages to his image.
The governing body on Thursday criticised the leaking of documents to the press and denied the accusations made in them.
"The FIA condemns the selective leaking of extracts from Mr Briatore's pleadings to the Tribunal de Grande Instance in Paris," said the FIA in a statement.
"The FIA rejects the allegations made in these leaks and confirms that the decision to impose a sanction against Mr Briatore was made by an overwhelming majority of the attending World Motor Sport Council members.
"In respect for the authority of the French Court, it would be entirely inappropriate for the FIA to comment further on this matter in advance of the hearing."
The case will be heard on 24 November in Paris.
Sunday, 18 October 2009
Briatore takes FIA to court
Former Renault boss Flavio Briatore will begin his fightback against a lifetime ban from motor racing on Monday when he takes the matter to the French courts.
Briatore is set to lodge papers at the Tribunal de Grand Instance in Paris to try and cancel the lifetime ban that was handed to him by the FIA as the result of his involvement in Renault's race-fix controversy at last year's Singapore Grand Prix.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Briatore stated that he believes the FIA had acted incorrectly in the way it dealt with its hearing into the race-fix case, and the punishment handed down.
"In this case, the FIA has been used as a tool to exact vengeance on behalf of one man," said Briatore in the statement. "This decision is a legal absurdity and I have every confidence that the French courts will resolve the matter justly and impartially."
Briatore has stated that the grounds for his action were that there was a delay in the issue of the summons, a failure to state the charges in advance and a lack of access provided to prosecution document and to the key witness.
Briatore also stated that there had been a 'breach of the natural rules of justice' including a lack of impartiality of the body passing judgement, the secret negotiation of the decision before the hearing and the granting of selective immunities.
He also claims that the FIA has abused its power by imposing a penalty on a non-licensee of the FIA, the disproportionate and illegal nature of an indefinite ban and the threat to refuse to renew FIA licences to any driver or entity involved with Briatore.
As well as trying to overthrow his punishment, Briatore is also demanding compensation for the damage caused to his reputation - with a report in the Journal du Dimanche suggesting he is seeking as much as one million euros.
If the judges in Paris rule that there is a valid case, then the matter could go to trial in around one month's time, with a decision possible before the end of the year.
Briatore is set to lodge papers at the Tribunal de Grand Instance in Paris to try and cancel the lifetime ban that was handed to him by the FIA as the result of his involvement in Renault's race-fix controversy at last year's Singapore Grand Prix.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Briatore stated that he believes the FIA had acted incorrectly in the way it dealt with its hearing into the race-fix case, and the punishment handed down.
"In this case, the FIA has been used as a tool to exact vengeance on behalf of one man," said Briatore in the statement. "This decision is a legal absurdity and I have every confidence that the French courts will resolve the matter justly and impartially."
Briatore has stated that the grounds for his action were that there was a delay in the issue of the summons, a failure to state the charges in advance and a lack of access provided to prosecution document and to the key witness.
Briatore also stated that there had been a 'breach of the natural rules of justice' including a lack of impartiality of the body passing judgement, the secret negotiation of the decision before the hearing and the granting of selective immunities.
He also claims that the FIA has abused its power by imposing a penalty on a non-licensee of the FIA, the disproportionate and illegal nature of an indefinite ban and the threat to refuse to renew FIA licences to any driver or entity involved with Briatore.
As well as trying to overthrow his punishment, Briatore is also demanding compensation for the damage caused to his reputation - with a report in the Journal du Dimanche suggesting he is seeking as much as one million euros.
If the judges in Paris rule that there is a valid case, then the matter could go to trial in around one month's time, with a decision possible before the end of the year.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)