18/09/2009
NEWS STORY
Having previously suggested that Fernando Alonso "knew everything" about the plan for his son to crash out of the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, Nelson Piquet Snr now appears to be backtracking, suggesting the Spaniard should have suspected something.
Previously, the three-time World Champion suggested that Alonso must been aware that something was wrong, telling reporters that the strategy his team had put him on should, if nothing else, have alerted him that something was amiss.
"If you are 15th on the grid at a street circuit, there is no point going out with no fuel," Piquet had said. "At most you will pass three cars and after your last stop you stay where you are. It's a senseless strategy."
However, the Brazilian now appears to be backtracking, saying, according to the Telegraph: All I said was that an intelligent driver like Alonso would ask questions if his team told him to come in to pit after 12 laps from 15th on the grid. As a driver I would have suspected something, so I can imagine only with difficulty that Fernando didn't know anything."
Speaking in Monza last week, FIA president Max Mosley said there was no evidence that Alonso was involved, or aware of, what is widely being regarded as one of the greatest scandals in the history of sport.
While, asked over the course of the Italian Grand Prix weekend if he was aware of what had been planned in Singapore, Alonso's response was immediate and firm, "no!", said the Spaniard.
Previously, at the height of the infamous 2007 spy scandal, Alonso gave information to the FIA on the understanding that he would be given immunity. It was subsequently claimed that before going to the FIA the Spaniard had virtually blackmailed McLaren, making a number of demands which the Woking team was unwilling to meet.
There are many who believe that the reason for the hesitation over confirming the Spaniard's move to Ferrari is that those involved want to see how next week's hearing pans out and whether any further evidence comes to light.