01/09/2009
NEWS STORY
Bernie Ecclestone has warned that Renault could leave F1 following clams that the team deliberately fixed the result of the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix by ordering Nelson Piquet to crash.
"This is not the sort of thing we need at the moment," Ecclestone told the Guardian. "I think it will piss off Renault for a start.
"Them leaving the sport is a danger, obviously," he continued. "I hope that it isn't like that, but it's the sort of thing that might happen."
Having admitted that team boss Flavio Briatore is "well and truly upset", when asked specifically about the incident, the Englishman replied: "What I know, I can't say, to be honest with you. All I know is that Flavio is insisting that he knows nothing about it.
"I think the FIA are looking into everything," he added. "They are trying to find out the reality. I suppose they would be upset if they found out that what people are assuming is true, is in fact true, I suppose."
Brazilian broadcaster Globo, which broke the story on Sunday, stands by it and claims to have evidence, though Renault and Nelson Piquet are keeping schtum.
However, while there has been silence in terms of Renault and its former driver, speculation on message boards and forums has been at fever pitch with many asking why, if Renault did give such an order, was Piquet stupid enough to accept it.
Talking to the Telegraph, Ecclestone questioned Globo’s claim of having evidence. "Obviously anything could happen and anyone could be involved," he said. "But until they have got some strong evidence, I can’t imagine how they could ever have any evidence, even if it were true. Unless somebody called over the radio and said 'Please crash on the next lap' I don’t know what evidence they could have. We would have copies of those conversations and someone would have come forward in the interim."
In the wake of spy-gate, sex-gate, lie-gate and the FOTA breakaway, F1 really doesn't need any more scandals, certainly one that claims teams are willing to order drivers to crash in order to fix races. Such an accusation, what with the inherent possibility of injury to the driver involved, other drivers, officials and members of the public doesn't bear thinking about.
Although the FIA has said it will launch an investigation it hasn't said when the process will begin. However, if it were to be proven that Globo's claim is true the repercussions would be damaging for all involved in F1 not only Renault. Indeed, there are suggestions that, if proven, such premeditated cheating could result in a criminal prosecution.