18/12/2009
NEWS STORY
Flavio Briatore has this afternoon issued a statement in reaction to recent comments made by Max Mosley, former president of the FIA.
The week began with Mosley, in an article for the Daily Telegraph, sharing his thoughts on all manner of things F1. Needless to say he is of the opinion that he remains one of the best things ever to happen to the sport.
Then, yesterday, Mosley issued a press release, courtesy of a Gmail account, in which he took issue with comments made to the Guardian last month, and subsequently picked up by the media in general, when Briatore claimed the FIA, under Mosley's leadership, was "blinded" by desire for "personal revenge".
The Italian, who was given a life ban from FIA sanctioned motorsport, and is calling for one million euros in damages, claims that many of the procedures adopted during the 'Crashgate' investigation and subsequent hearing were contrary to the FIA's International Sporting Code and the laws of France.
In reaction to Mosley's comments, Briatore has today issued the following:
"I was made aware of the terms of the press statement made by the former President of the FIA, Mr Max Mosley as regards the decision that he took as the head of the Motor Sport World Council on 21st September 2009.
It is difficult to ascertain whether Mr Mosley is just losing his temper while waiting the decision to be issued by the French courts or if, after having lost his position as a key person in Motor Racing, he is just eager to regain media coverage by making provocative attacks against myself, amongst others.
Whatever is the answer, it is quite intriguing to hear that Mr Mosley would now pretend that the FIA rendered a fair decision against me at the end of a process of fair justice. This is certainly not the position that the current leadership of the FIA expressed before the French Civil Courts, where everyone could hear Counsel for FIA stating that the World Council took only a decision of an "administrative nature", did not issue any ruling against myself and was thus actually not bound to comply with any standards of civilized justice.
I would also have been glad to hear Mr Mosley explain that he expressed to me over the phone on September 19th 2009, that my presence at the hearing of the World Council of 21st September was neither necessary nor desirable, in the context of a difficult session for Renault, while since such hearing may, in any event, not result into any decision against myself."