FIA starts Briatore appeal but softens stance

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The FIA has confirmed it will appeal the Tribune de Grande Instance’s verdict against its decision to ban Flavio Briatore and Pat Symonds from motor racing.

However it also admitted it would not prevent drivers managed by Briatore, such as Mark Webber, from competing in F1 as it had previously threatened:

While the appeal is underway, the Word Motor Sport Council’s decision of 21 September 2009 remains in full effect. However, in view of the uncertainty that this may create for drivers who may be affected by this decision, the FIA President and FIA Senate have decided that, pending the outcome of the FIA’s appeal, Superlicences will continue to be issued to qualifying drivers in the usual way.

This is a discernible softening the FIA’s stance where previously I think we may have seen an “all-or-nothing” response. Is this another sign that we have a more even-tempered president at the helm?

There is a reference to that in the FIA’s statement as well, which hints at the direction matters are be heading in:

In his election campaign last summer, FIA President Jean Todt and his team announced that new measures for constructive change, including a disciplinary procedure, would be introduced. Work on this is well advanced. Once in place, this will address the issues in the Court’s judgement. Nonetheless, an appeal is merited.

In the meantime, get ready for Briatore vs the FIA round three…

Red more: Flavio Briatore wins appeal against lifetime ban from motorsport

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Keith Collantine
Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring...

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9 comments on “FIA starts Briatore appeal but softens stance”

  1. To be honest, I don’t even think Mosley would have denied a driver a right to his superlicence. I also hope that the FIA are fully successful with their appeal.

  2. Horrible decision. The FIA’s initial judgement still violates EU law and is still littered with irregularities (selective granting of immunities, decision agreed upon before the hearing, etc.) They don’t stand a snowball’s chance in hell of winning.

    1. Mouse_Nightshirt
      11th January 2010, 18:29

      I think the point is just to stall so they can get their license idea through before Briatore makes it back to the paddock.

  3. It’s interesting to note that if the FIA lost it’s ban, primarily, based on Briatore not having a license then, in therory, the FIA had no jurisdiction on the Stephnygate scandal in which Mclaren was found guilty of having in it’s posession Ferrari’s technical specs.

    I will freely admit that it does appear that Mad Max did use this as a Witch-Hunt for Briatore’s head. That too, was wrong.

  4. I had no idea it could effect other drivers under is managment, that is so unfair, they had nothing to do with the incedent.

  5. It was more of a threat then anything.

  6. The FIA need to address their lack of consistency. They did not respond like this on the accidents by Schumacher or Senna. It therefore asks the question of why they addressed this one in the way that they have. No consistency at all! Mosley and Acclestone are both ‘Control Freaks’. They have both taken significant advantage of issues where they hold the avantage with a reliable outcome to highlight this ‘problem’ This is why people within the FIA do not oppose Mosely when he goes off the deep end. The FIA also brought in some rediculous new rules which have not enhanced the F1 Racing at all. Stupid Refuelling Rigs, closing the Pit lane under a Safety Car ( the American Racers don’t do that and it hasen’t caused any problems?), requiring F1 cars to use two types of Tyres. (how is this helping road cars?) and using only one Tyre suppler! (so there is no tyre development!)

  7. FIA, was being rulled by a Dictator (Mosley), the way he have dealt with this issue is more of a child wanting to prove himself!
    The way FIA dealt with this issue is completely stupid and now there´s not much they can do to avoid Briatori from coming back to F1, if he wishes to do so!
    Stop wasting money in appeals and just make F1 the greatest sport on the Planet!

  8. They don’t call it the F1 circus for nothing…

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