Fairness, please

From across the pond I read with incredulity the decision by the FIA that allowed Renault to get with a smacked wrist over their version of the Spygate saga.

In many ways, the verdict was similar to the one in the middle of the summer when McLaren were found guilty but let off any fine. But the later hearing which gave McLaren the largest fine in sport's history set a precedent. Some McLaren employees had discussed the Ferrari car, there was no evidence provided that McLaren had used Ferrari secrets on their car. I see the same case provided in the Renault case.

So either both teams were at fault, or neither. I think the FIA have been slightly pragmatic; a £50 million fine for Renault would make it very likely they would leave F1, it is easier for a Manufacturer to leave than a company whose primary purpose is racing.

But where does this leave the idea of fairness? Nowhere. It has long been suspected that there is some kind of vendetta against McLaren, and at every point where the FIA could do something to show fairness in it's hearings it fails. I was really hoping that this time there would be an ounce of consistency, but no, I feel very disappointed yet again.

Looking back over 10 years the following events have occurred.

• 1998 Brazil, Ferrari protested McLaren's brake/steer 3rd pedal. Winner : Ferrari, Loser : McLaren
• 1998 Britain, Schumacher given a penalty for overtaking before the start/finish line after the safety had gone in. The penalty was given late and Schumacher made a stop/go after the finishing line. Had he made the stop/go before, Hakkinen who was 22 seconds behind would most likely have won. Winner : Ferrari, Loser : McLaren
  
• 1999 Malaysia, Ferrari's bargeboards are found illegal, banned giving the championship to McLaren. The decision is then reversed keeping the championship alive. Winner : Ferrari, Loser : McLaren
• 1999. Berylium engines banned. An aluminium-berylium alloy used in McLaren's engine was banned at the end of the season. Winner : Everyone else, Loser McLaren
• 2003, Monza. Before the GP the FIA made a 'clarification' which effectively banned the current Michelin tyre which had been legal since Michelin's return. Just before this, Schumacher had finished 8th in Hungary. From then on, Ferrari went on to win the championship. Winner : Ferrari, Loser : All michelin runners
• 2005. After a season with one tyre allowed for a race, Michelin had a good tyre and Bridgestone a bad tyre, they were banned. Winner : Bridgestone (Ferrari), Loser : Michelin (McLaren/Renault)
• 2007, Australia. Ferrari race an illegal car, it is question but Ferrari's race win stands. Winner : Ferrari, Loser : McLaren
• 2007, Hungary. Intra-team rivalries lead to Alonso holding up Hamilton in the pits. The FIA should not have intervened, it did and dropped Alonsio 5 places and removed all constructor points. Winner : Ferrari, Loser : McLaren
• 2007, SpyGate round 1. Ferrari secrets found in McLaren's possession. McLaren lose all constructor points and have the largest fine in sport's history. Winner : Ferrari, Loser : McLaren
• 2007, Fuelgate. The temperature of fuel in BMW/Williams cars is too low, the cars are banned, then re-instated. A lengthy appeal by McLaren (which would hand the title to Hamilton) is thrown out a technicality. Winner : Ferrari/Raikkonen, Loser : McLaren/Hamilton
• 2007, SpyGate round 2. McLaren secrets found in Renault's possession. Renault found guilty but let off any fine. Winner : Renault, Loser : McLaren

A catalog of rulings which when weighed up seem biased. The FIA needs to change, and Mosely should go. Now.

Squiffy.