Catch-up Session – Week #2
January is decidedly quite calm compared to previous years. This season, launches are only happening in the second half of January or even in February. For the preseason tests, we have to wait until the first days of February. For now, between January 4th and 10th, the news isn’t abundant but quite surprising. Indeed, to […]
January is decidedly quite calm compared to previous years. This season, launches are only happening in the second half of January or even in February. For the preseason tests, we have to wait until the first days of February. For now, between January 4th and 10th, the news isn’t abundant but quite surprising. Indeed, to everyone’s surprise, Flavio Briatore has been somewhat exonerated from his past actions and the crashgate. A look back on this decision by the French courts and reactions from the main party involved. One team particularly made headlines last week. It is Sauber or rather BMW-Sauber. A complete overview of the preparation progress of this team in this article.
After Schumacher, the return of Flavio Briatore?
A dramatic turn of events this Monday, January 4th, as the French courts (Tribunal de Grande Instance de Paris) have decided to lift the lifetime ban from all motorsport activities that had been imposed on Flavio Briatore and Pat Symonds. The two men were found guilty of orchestrating Nelson Piquet Jr’s crash at the Singapore GP in 2008. The Italian will also receive damages in this case, amounting to 15,000 euros. Thus, it’s the end of a long legal battle for the former Renault team principal. Relieved by this decision, he states that it is too early to say whether he will return to the pinnacle of motorsports. He does have 20 years of experience in the field. Finally, as he started in the fall, Briatore intends to file a complaint against the Piquet camp. The Italian will never forget this relentless pursuit, by both Nelson Piquet Jr and Sr, as well as the former FIA president, Max Mosley. Can a new career path begin for Flavio Briatore?
Briatore is no longer banned for life from all motorsport
A probable return of Briatore to F1?
Legal actions by Briatore against the Piquets
Sauber Moves Forward, Still with BMW!
As the season begins slowly but surely, the 13th team on the grid, Sauber, remains in 2009 mode because when discussing the team, the name BMW-Sauber must still be used. The change can only occur with the permission of the F1 commission. In fact, the name BMW-Sauber was the one used during registration last May/June and no change is currently planned. Besides the commission, permissions from the FOM, FIA, and all other teams are required. While waiting for this possible name change, BMW-Sauber moves forward and will launch its car the day before the first official test session. This will be on January 31st at the Valencia circuit in Spain. Save the date! Finally, a complete restructuring has taken place in the corridors of BMW-Sauber. Whether in the legal, marketing, or financial services, new faces will appear or reappear. All the names in the link just below…
Sauber retains the name BMW-Sauber
The arrival of the first BMW-Sauber car at the end of January
