On a Friday before a Grand Prix the news should be all about free practice. But not today; never mind that Ferrari have been quick in the first session, thereby showing that the tests at Monza gave a false impression - the big story remains the latest concerted attack on McLaren.
Nelson Piquet in the Brabha BT49
I am so sickened by the events of the last 48 hours or so that I really don't want to go over the details again. F1 Fanatic has a good article on the build-up to the reconvened WMSC hearing, Ollie's Blog F1 gives details of the fine levied on McLaren over a new gearbox casing. And Craig's blog looks back over the history of McLaren's problems this year, wondering what the implications are for the world championships.
Those posts and their comments give the essential facts that are known and the various opinions on the story so far. I have added the occasional comment too and have nothing left to say except to register my disgust at the way the FIA has handled matters. It really is time that they considered how much their own actions bring the sport into disrepute.
So it was refreshing to arrive at Sidepodcast dot com and find a video of the GPLive event in May of this year. To see the old cars being driven in earnest once again took me back to happier days when we were not constantly interrupted with scandals and odd decisions from the FIA. Politics existed then, too, but it did not threaten the existence of the sport in the way that the latest saga does.
All of us look back to a time when it seemed F1 was perfect; usually that was when we first discovered the sport and became fascinated by it. As the years passed, we became aware of things that were not right, sometimes things that spoiled the racing itself, at others peripheral matters that should not have been allowed to affect the outcome of races but did. I have seen the crises come and go but always it was possible to turn back to the GPs and enjoy them for their own sake.
Not so these days, it seems. A matter of industrial espionage is blown out of all proportion and, instead of waiting to see the outcome of the court cases pending on the matter, the FIA has to jump in and interfere prematurely. Whether it is true or not, the governing body has to recognize that its actions are seen all too often as being influenced by matters that should be no concern of theirs. Last year it was Renault that was the object of scrutiny and subsequent dubious decisions; this year McLaren are under the axe. For how long can we believe that this is coincidence and there is no pro-Ferrari bias in the FIA?
But I said I would not say any more. Enough, enough, I will go back to Sidepodcast and run that video again and again (there are some great shots of the Brabham BT49 in it, of course) until I forget all the nonsense happening today.
Perhaps tomorrow I'll get annoyed enough again to re-enter the fray.
Nelson Piquet in the Brabha BT49
I am so sickened by the events of the last 48 hours or so that I really don't want to go over the details again. F1 Fanatic has a good article on the build-up to the reconvened WMSC hearing, Ollie's Blog F1 gives details of the fine levied on McLaren over a new gearbox casing. And Craig's blog looks back over the history of McLaren's problems this year, wondering what the implications are for the world championships.
Those posts and their comments give the essential facts that are known and the various opinions on the story so far. I have added the occasional comment too and have nothing left to say except to register my disgust at the way the FIA has handled matters. It really is time that they considered how much their own actions bring the sport into disrepute.
So it was refreshing to arrive at Sidepodcast dot com and find a video of the GPLive event in May of this year. To see the old cars being driven in earnest once again took me back to happier days when we were not constantly interrupted with scandals and odd decisions from the FIA. Politics existed then, too, but it did not threaten the existence of the sport in the way that the latest saga does.
All of us look back to a time when it seemed F1 was perfect; usually that was when we first discovered the sport and became fascinated by it. As the years passed, we became aware of things that were not right, sometimes things that spoiled the racing itself, at others peripheral matters that should not have been allowed to affect the outcome of races but did. I have seen the crises come and go but always it was possible to turn back to the GPs and enjoy them for their own sake.
Not so these days, it seems. A matter of industrial espionage is blown out of all proportion and, instead of waiting to see the outcome of the court cases pending on the matter, the FIA has to jump in and interfere prematurely. Whether it is true or not, the governing body has to recognize that its actions are seen all too often as being influenced by matters that should be no concern of theirs. Last year it was Renault that was the object of scrutiny and subsequent dubious decisions; this year McLaren are under the axe. For how long can we believe that this is coincidence and there is no pro-Ferrari bias in the FIA?
But I said I would not say any more. Enough, enough, I will go back to Sidepodcast and run that video again and again (there are some great shots of the Brabham BT49 in it, of course) until I forget all the nonsense happening today.
Perhaps tomorrow I'll get annoyed enough again to re-enter the fray.