F1Podcast 126 - Renault Crash Scandal

[ukstreetracer]

we've got plenty of time to digest the implications of the decision, nelson piquet was concentrating on driving and didnt have the luxury of time. also its not like the team principal radios 'suggestions' to the driver, the driver is used to following orders without questioning them and shouldnt need to do so.

[NateDawg80126]

Symonds: I was the one who, when the idea was first suggested to me by Nelson Piquet Jnr, should have dismissed it immediately. It is to my eternal regret and shame that I did not do so."

Now I don't believe this for a second, but it should be said that they are claiming Jr. approached them with the idea...

[kingjimsixsix5]

This has to be the biggest & worst scandal to hit F1 in its history, alot of commentators are painting Nelson as not responsible for his actions as he is young, lewis telling lies to the officials was one thing but causing a crash that could have injured or killed someone is above reproach.like you i am sure that the complicity went further than the 3, i am not sure if Alonso knew anything about it, tobe fair i think he is of better character & would not have stood by & be gifted a cheat win

[kingjimsixsix5]

I do feel sorry for the renault people, this could be the straw that breaks the camels back, resulting in renault pulling out of the sport. Piquet would not get a job driving a taxi now & I hope that remains the case, he should have been the bigger man and said NO. I wonder will Piquet bring out a book about his "F1 career" in the coming years? great video guys.

[darkgaz]

Briatore got a lifetime ban from any motoring event that is ran by the FIA and Symmonds got 5 year ban.

Renault got a 2-year suspended ban

[F1Podcast]

I liked Brundle's comment - Flavio was deleted from F1 (and all motorsport). So true. - Pep.

[John27346]

But you're assuming the other scenario could not have happened ie Nelson Piquet doesn't go to the press and Renault gets away with it. They took a chance and they got caught. Schumacher crashed into Damon Hill and won the 1994 championship. He didn't get caught.

[John27346]

"who wins after this?". stupid argument. if things had gone to plan, renault would have won. Part of the game.

[F1Podcast]

Yeah, but they didn't go to plan. - Max

[StevenJeNova]

(back from a 4 week vacation)

It's a tragedy. Mostly for Piquet and all the good & hard working guys at Renault. But also for F1. If the manager got yer F1 life in his hand I would be tempted to do his bidding. It's easy to be wise in hindsight. Schumi crashed deliberately and he wasn't thrown out. Renault should be stripped from their constructors points as well as a fine. But we do want em here, next year. If they want!

[killerbeeice]

Hi,

Plz take on episode for me about Piquet. About what he did wrong and what Sumi did not do wrong ( i´m talking about with Alonso and Villeneuve incidents). Ferrari must have know about both incidents.

[brandensimmons1987]

F1 was having a great season and now this scandal has ruin it renault is banned for life after they make their decision it a crime to fix a race.

[ericbrookesdaywalker]

If renault get anything less than a 100mil fine, I'll be dissapointed. One mclaren employee gets his hands on info on the ferrari, and they get that fine, but this happens, and the big wigs at renault implemented it? That will really make it look like an FIA conspiracy against mclaren.

[Agerasia]

I think a massive fine and a suspended penalty is what they will probably get.

The FIA are shit scared that Renault will walk away though. If they left and Toyota do as well that would be 3 manufacturer teams this year.

[F1Podcast]

Yeah mate it's a fine line isn't it? (Pep)

[TheRealJakeKool]

Good guess. Suspended.. as if they are gonna do the same thing again so it basically means nothing

But the conspirators were dealt pretty fair penalties I'd say. Flavio was the one who was most to blame, and he copped the big one..

[MoeTheSyco]

All I can say about the Renault that is a really shameful thing..

BTW I checked you flicker photos, fantastic collection.

R u in Twitter..?

[F1Podcast]

Nope mate - no tweeting here, no Facebook either. We find that this website provides most of our needs for communicating with you guys. Oh yeah + flickr, hotmail, msn and the occassional blogTV .... LOL (Pep)

[vidmanx0]

No-one wins? ....except Lewis Hamilton.

[junioraddleberg]

So Hamilton is champ because of this?

Yeah, youre probably right. Its not like massa threw his car off track when leading in malaysia. Also, its not like Kimi pulled over for him in china, or the gifted spa win, or the free points for ramming bourdais out of the way in japan. It also probably has nothing to do with the fuel rig in singapore or the engine failure in hungary. Yes you are correct piquet gifted hamilton the WDC.

massa= shit driver in good car= button

[f1fan65]

thats bullshit. if your boss to you to do something illegal would you do it? probably not. you would probably report him or her to the appropriate authorities, which is what piquet should have done last year.

[green95gt]

I say piquet should get punished heavily BUT not banned from motorsport.

FlaB and the head engineer should get lifetime bans from all motorsport.

[benofkent]

I could of done better at least wouldn't spoke about it !!!!

[barneylovesbeagle]

All lot of People win guys!? how bout all the promotions to happen in Renault, might even see Prost back as a Principle, But i think that they will fine Individuals and a Lifetime Ban on all even Piquet Sr. from F1 races and events. The win will go to Rosberg and Renault will continue.

[F1Podcast]

Yeah fair enough mate. (Pep)

[barneylovesbeagle]

I cant wait to see if Scott Speed comes back we need those loud mothed guys to make it a DRIVERS sport again!

[barneylovesbeagle]

Nelsino had nothing to lose and all to gain! Really i never like Flavio he seems like a scum bag, but hey it happens people want to win like Irvine told BBC they will do anything to win look at Senna and Prost.

[jerryjoe88]

You left one thing out in your hypothetical. Not only are you asked by your MNGR/Team principal to crash. But, "you are in an environment that thrives on ass kissing, backstabbing, & cheating. & after 2 years, & many conversations with your father, you KNOW it is commonplace in the paddock." NOW...what would you do?

[robertman0011]

100 million fine is too much, it would force renault out of the sport,

they can ban them from 3 or 4 races that way renault would continue in the sport

[Hynee]

Last thing I swear, Alonso and his engineer being in on it? I think not, it's perfectly normal when you have a dog slow car at a street circuit to take a punt with an unusually timed pitstop. You have no hope of points if you take it at the normal time, but taking it way early or late can give you some hope of jumping everyone.

[ACorlett21]

Completely agree, there is as of yet no evidence Alonso knew, and the strategy was perfectly explainable without a consipiracy, at the moment it seems only Symmonds, Briatore and Piquet were in on the plot.

[Hynee]

Also, good point about what Piquet should have done (laughed and said no), but we really don't know what was going through his mind. He was claiming emotional stress, so I'm taking that at face value.

BTW, You can go over 10 mins, I think you can get over 10:40 or something, YT are generous with the limit.

[Hynee]

Teams like Mclaren with their current lineup almost *always* compromise #2 driver to benefit the #1, when the opportunity arises. Earlier this year Hamilton lead Kova away 1-2, and then for the first stint Kova's pace lagged .5-1 s behind Hamiltons, and lo and behold Hamilton had a good gap by the first pitstops. It always used to happen with Ferrari in the Schumacher years.

I thought everyone knew that, and Crashgate was way different.

Not being a smart arse, I'm just putting it out there.

[green95gt]

The fact that people are saying he's unemployable is basically saying we don't want a driver to open up his mouth about the cheating practices we employ at our team. Essentially we don't want a driver with any sort of sporting moral code. It's bullshit...he was given an order just like alonso was "ordered" to back up hamilton during quali in a pitstop. He said..."i just drive the car, they tell me what to do." People cheat in sport much worse than this all the time. I feel sorry for P.Jr.

[ukogmickey]

Oh and another thing, What Brundle said was that Ferrari should of give him a drive as a stand in. But incase you didnt know all this hadnt come out at that point otherwise he wouldnt then say in the last race that he is now unemployable. Like I said you are talking tripe and you aint a clue. Go sit urself down and watch the last 2 seasons and then come back and say the same crap.

[green95gt]

Got the whole season on my computer MATE. Watch every GP both quali and race. Have done so for years. Tell me one thing, who'm are the officials going to believe a 23 yr old daddies boy fresh faced F1 driver, or Bernies best friend FlaBio? Especially when it's his word agains FlaB's.

I know what Brundle said...and don't you think a standin for ferrari is a second chance you dingo molesting dumb ass?

I think you need to sit and reread what i've written...it's apparent you don't comprehend much.

[green95gt]

OK and Schumacher crashing on purpose to assure his title (into D.Hill, and Monaco rascasse) or position on the grid is acceptable because he was so popular huh. To me...these offenses are just as bad as this latest scandle. People don't like P.Jr 'cause his daddy got him into F1. But you gotta give the kid a break...if he said I won't crash he would have lost his seat back then. Let me ask people this if he came out about this after the race would it have made a difference? Nope.

[ukogmickey]

Hey mate your chatting utter shite, Was nothing at all to do with his father. Have you not been watching the races or are you blind and stupid. Would you really expect to keep a job if you continually crashing at almost every race. He was a shit F1 driver plain and simple. Like the guys said its a toys outa the pram scenario. I really carnt believe what ive just read in ur comment. Sorry me 2 Aussie buddies but Ive got fire in me belly right now and you asked us to be brutally honest.

[green95gt]

yup...he wasn't any good this is true. but this is besides the point. but neither is half of the grid. last i checked the renaults haven't been the best last two seasons. even martin brundle said (pre crash-gate) that he deserved another drive. honestly i can't believe what i've read in your comment either.

[ukogmickey]

LoL How is beside the point, Are you for real. Its what the whole situation is all about and what it started from, Piquet was shite and was lucky he got 2 seasons. Then all his barbie dolls come flying out the pram when he was rightly sacked. He wrongly but willingly caused a crash. He should of refused and reported it at the time no ifs or buts. So what are you talking about ? Do you even watch F1 as it dont sound like it to me. You dont make one bit of sense tbh.

[F1Podcast]

Fire up Mickey!! You know we both love ya passion me ol' mate :) - Max

[ukogmickey]

Thanks guys, Honestly I arnt usually like this but he just aint a clue what he talking about Theres 1 fact in all this, Piquet was Shit ! Its actually made me sick that he got off scott free. Deliberatly crashing. Everyone should of been punished. It just goes to show how messed up everything is. I mean did you guys see the pic of him leaving court with that toffee nose smug smile of his. He should be racing prams up and down the street. Rant over now guys you two take it easy ! Thanks again.

[jraybay]

Yes I said same thing...Piquet should be punished for being stupid enough to follow through with those orders. What if he wrecked some other back runners at the time and wrecked them. I bet he'd keep his trap shut if he caused a pile up -_- . Plus he's an ass for saying this a year later and coincidentally as his run with at renault was up. He shames his father legacy >:( .

[ukogmickey]

What on earth does a driver expect if he fails to shine in F1 for 2 seasons back to back, As if any driver would keep the job let alone Piquet. So I must ask this, What on earth is he bitter about ? So basically he drags the sport to the gutter for absolutely no reason. I know Hate is a huge word but I hate that little fucker. I hope he never EVER gets back in a racing car let alone F1. Everytime I seer his girly twat of a face I want someone to smash him. Sorry guys but Im very angry with this.

[Raiden36O]

I think if Renault get fined 100 million +, they will leave the sport defiantly. Wiping the Singapore win, all constructor points this year, and maybe a ban for the remaining races of the season might be better.

[gurujpf66]

Of course Alonso had to know!!!, are you gona tell me that a 2 time world champ. with a lot of experience, will agree to a strategy soo imposible!!!, think about it, starting 15th on the grid with very light fuel load will work?!!! hell yeah! unless.....

[lunchsalamimeat]

I don't think Piquet Jr. should have done the crash in the first place but pretend your in his shoes.

If Flavio comes on the radio and says we need a win so you have to crash, he expects you to crash to advance the team's position. If Piquest said no, Flavio would have got on the radio and said okay, bring the car in the garage, your fired.

I'm not defending Piquet but I don't think he could've done anything else.

[didickcheeseburger]

i dont think briatore would directly say anything on the radio which is monitored. this was probably discussed pre-race and a signal was given over the radio maybe. i agree with you that piquet was put in a tough spot but he certainly had a choice. i guess this is where morals come into play.

[jeevesosiris]

When I first heard the charges the one thought I had was "how stupid can Renault be?"

Here is a team with all the experience in the world attempting to fool the world in a sport where ever bit of info and stats from a car can be universally scruitinized... they must have known PK wouldn't have been with the team forever and to give him so much power over them with this is frankly ridiculous.

I feel sorry for everybody involved but they will deserve whatever punishment is handed down.

[EmphaticItalic]

It's a tragic story. Piquet Sr. is a fantastic F1 driver, a triple world champion. Piquet Jr. has probably dreamed of being Formula One world champion for most of his life, and now he's totally screwed up everything.

[SirKnobofCheese]

It makes me wonder weather McLaren were told that there couldn't win the 2007 drivers championship.

[SaitanMar]

Why do you feel sorry for Renault when it was Renault who was involved in this scandal. Yes it wasn't the employees in the team and was mainly two or three people involved but it was still Renault and they need to be punished correctly.

They gave McClaren a huge fine for what they did so hopefully Renault will be given something very much like it.

Also think Fernando Alonso MUST have had some idea concerning this scandal. I can't see how he couldn't.

[SaitanMar]

Think people should give Nelson Piquet Jnr a break. The media as been so hard on him and he was telling the truth afterall.

Don't particularly like the lad, but he was telling the truth and still the media keeps hitting out at him.

[didickcheeseburger]

i feel bad for piquet in the way he was put in this position by his bosses. he knew he wasnt performing well for the team. hes still just a rat that tattled like a child once he got shitcanned so his personality is just as poor as his driving skills. he probably ruined his career with this alone

[cvsgtr643]

very sad to hear about this :(what will they do next,that would be suicide i wouldnt do it,and i feel very disappointed knowing that the top motor racing sport is is doing and has been doing crazy stuff beneath the blankets , anyway ps i miss those days where you guys uploaded the F1 lap gaming videos i have the xbox360 and there are no F1 games on it >:(,i wish there were, but i love all cars so ive been enjoying myself with need for speed shift and gran turismo4 on ps2lately xD cheers guys

[Jellyrocket1]

Sad, very sad. I think this has implicated FAlonso more than you have said Max and Pep. He might be a good driver but he lacks scruples.

[FormulaOneFan4Eva]

the is your opportunity fernando... leave now and go to ferrari (upwards inflection)... nudge nudge wink wink, eh, eh, know what i mean...

oh for fuck sake! just go to ferrari alonso!

[Lesserpawn]

One person wins - Max Mosley. He's finally got his revenge on 'the leader of the loonies'. The FIA have leaked as much circumstantial evidence against Renault as they could over the last few weeks and I doubt they will find out who is was that was telling the press. I believe the decision to accept BMW as the '14th team' was a sign that Renault will either leave the sport or be banned. One less manufacturer team to stand up against the FIA.

[F1Podcast]

Mate you raise some very interesting points. Thanks for this. - Max

[Hynee]

Point well made but I disagree, I think they just nominated BMW as the next cab off the rank (rather than waiting for a team to falter) because BMW got wrong-footed with the timing of their withdrawal and the signing of the concorde agreement. It's a bit of administrative charity to a perfectly good and current operation from the FIA.

[Nish2280]

I would say they should just say taht they can no longer take part in any of the races THIS YEAR and charge 100mil fine.

[GoTheUnderdog99]

i dont reckon it was a plan organised before the race. many times last year cars at the back fuelled lightly to overtake. i reckon it was just a spur-of-the-moment thing.

i reckon piquet will fuck off to NASCAR next year following montoya, speed etc.

[FALLOUTBOYrock2345]

piquet should not have said anything, he wouldnt get a job anywere now.

he should have never done it in the 1st place.

you know its big news when its on channel 9 news in australia!

[f1adore]

so eventualy after all this the fia makes a load of money if they fine renault and everyone else wins nothing

[benofkent]

I don't fault him so much for doing it, as there was huge presure, his whole career led to that point and he could have lost everything, but to tell on them was bad, he should have saved it for the biography in 10-20 years, also why not just kill the engine and stop in a tricky place to get the car back?

[FALLOUTBOYrock2345]

that would make it a bit more suss

[GoTheUnderdog99]

wouldve been obvious what they were doing, like schumacher at monaco 2006

[Peterjohnpatrick]

They cheated really well, they should be commended. Nelson should be banned from FIA events. Nobody was going to get hurt. Now whats going to happen to Renault F1's 500 employees?