Evidence of race-fixing mounts against Renault
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More evidence has emerged in the Formula One ‘crashgate’ scandal -- and it’s not looking good for Renault and its team boss, Flavio Briatore.
Car telemetry recorded during last year’s Grand Prix of Singapore appears to support Nelson Piquet Jr.’s claim that he purposefully crashed during the race. Piquet, who was released by Renault on Aug. 3, says he was ordered by Briatore to crash to help teammate Fernando Alonso, who went on to win the race.
The Times of London reported today that Renault’s director of engineering, Pat Symonds, has been offered immunity by the FIA in exchange for his testimony at a World Motor Sport Council hearing on Monday. Symonds reportedly refused to answer questions posed by FIA investigators during the weekend of the Belgian Grand Prix.
In addition, the paper also released transcripts of team radio communications during the race. The transcripts do not necessarily support or deny the accusations -- unless Briatore’s profanity-laced reaction to the crash is seen as legitimate.
However, the telemetry from Piquet’s car on the exit of turn 17 shows an irregularity in comparison to his previous laps. The Brazilian driver gets on the throttle earlier and harder while exiting the corner, initiating wheel spin that sends him into the wall.
But was it a lack of concentration? Drivers make mistakes. Plus, Adrian Sutil was putting pressure on him at the time. (Sutil said the accident looked real).
Unfortunately, the telemetry doesn’t support Renault’s position. After all, why would Piquet and his father, three-time Formula One champion Nelson Piquet Sr., risk a criminal investigation just to get back at Briatore? But why would Briatore accuse them of blackmail if he wasn’t right?
We’ll find out on Monday what happens. If the WMSC sides with the Piquet, Renault could be forced out of F1 and Briatore could be given a lifetime ban.
It could also severely hurt the sport’s legitimacy, preventing Formula One’s popularity to grow in places such as the United States.
-- Austin Knoblauch
