McLaren Handed Suspended Three Race Ban By FIA
In a much awaited hearing, McLaren was handed a suspended three race ban by the FIA for lie-gate. Now we see if McLaren can really avoid scandal. Personally, I doubt it.
McLaren has claimed to turn another leaf in their conduct in Formula One. The spy-gate saga did serious damage to the finances and reputation of McLaren. It sniffed of politics though and McLaren was viewed as being preyed upon. Then came lie-gate. There could be no dispute in this one. Lewis Hamilton was caught directly lying to Stewards. Dave Ryan, Sporting Director for McLaren, was as well. They lied in Australia. Then they repeated the lies in Malaysia a week even while being confronted with their own radio transcripts!
The uproar was huge. The only thing McLaren apologists could hold up in support of the team was the weak “everyone does it” argument. That wasn’t flying. More importantly, sponsors and Mercedes brought the heat to the team as well. In response, Dave Ryan was sacrificed in a despicable act. What does 30 plus years of loyalty get you at McLaren? The door!
Next came Ron Dennis. Dennis, Bernie Ecclestone and Max Mosley have been in a prolonged war for more years than anyone can count. At this point, it is probably difficult for anyone to remember what started it. What is clear is that Dennis has pitted McLaren in a war that it could never win. Martin Whitmarsh apparently realizes as much and tested his new found powers by shoving Dennis through the door. Mercedes is undoubtedly behind this as well.
The FIA apparently is willing to believe a new leaf has been turned. The suspended sentence comes with a 12 month holding period. If anything happens in the next 12 months, McLaren gets the hammer. That is basically what it boils down to.
McLaren has escaped a technical punishment by sacrificing Ryan and Dennis. That being said, the team has no credibility and no real reputation left. They facts are clear. The team will sacrifice loyal, long-term employees without blinking an eye. This, of course, only happens when the team gets caught cheating. One has to wonder how many times McLaren has not been caught!
Perhaps most galling is the fact that this seems to take the last bit of intrigue out of the 2009 season. Jenson Button and Brawn GP are well on their way to the championships. The idea that McLaren can some how come back is laughable. The team has the talent to make the car competitive, but they are 37 points behind Brawn. It is a Brawn year. Maybe Red Bull will have something to say about it, but they are really the only team close enough to do so.
Lemmy