The BBC is a complicated organisation, but in general it does a terrific job not only covering the world’s news, but also sport and specifically Formula 1. In the run-up to the Monaco GP I am told that the Top Gear people decided to get involved by driving around the circuit with in-car cameras and famous passengers. Great idea. So they chose Jeremy Clarkson with Bernie Ecclestone (one might call that a short tall story), Thingymabob Hammond with Christian Horner and James May with Flavio Briatore. This was aired in the run-up to the Grand Prix as part of the BBC coverage.
Yes, that would be Flavio Briatore, the man who is banned from any involvement in F1 for his role in a disgusting scam in Singapore in 2008 that added to the sport’s shonky image.
Do these people never learn? If Formula 1 is to appeal to a broader range of sponsors and improve itself, it needs to get rid of people who are tainted. One can understand that Bernie Ecclestone might rope in Briatore because they are mates, but it sent out a message that one can do whatever you like and Formula 1 will be happy to let you back in again – if you know the right people. That is bad for the image of the sport and thus bad for business.
If one can do such things and come back with just a slap on the wrist then someone should give Nelson Piquet Jr a drive again because all he was doing was following the bidding of his unscrupulous team.
It is upsetting that this man should be feted by the sport he screwed.
And the BBC should be ashamed of itself for giving him that platform.
I agree. I was surprised and disappointed to see they’d included him.
Exactly.
I was also surprised why Martin Brundle talked to Briatore during his grid walk. Couldn’t he just pass along?
I wholeheartedly agree. I was surprised to see Briatore on a grid before a start as well. He shouldn’t be allowed to get into a paddock again after what he has done.
I agree with you, Joe about Flav, but you also wrote:
“Well, in that case someone should give Nelson Piquet Jr a drive again because all he was doing was following the bidding of his unscrupulous team.”
I suppose Nelsinho might say “I was only obeying orders”!
Paul
Absolutely right – I had to double-take when I saw Flavio on the screen. I’ve got the impression more and more recently that there’s a movement to ‘rehabilitate’ Briatore, as if F1 really can’t cope without the sweaty, cheating buffoon. That the BBC was complicit in this is very disappointing, because otherwise world-class coverage is tainted.
“sweaty, cheating buffoon”/ Hmmm. The first is certainly true. The second is certainly true. The third is a personal opinion. Yes, that is an acceptable comment.
… and someone must told Bernie to put his seat belt right – “Make roads safe”
I’m inclined to agree, so I wonder whether Briatore’s involvement was a condition of Bernie Ecclestone to take part. Having said that, there were others ‘in’ on the Singapore episode, whom have gone unpunished/untarnished and continue to enjoy the fruits of F1 and the patronage of the BBC.
Presumably there will be a fuller airing of this event on Top Gear, where we may learn more about how this came about?
James v B
I do not think one can prove that the others were involved, no matter how much one might believe that to be true.
I noticed he was in the news last week for suggesting that Red Bull were providing Webber with inferior machinery. No evidence at all, just a random slanderous comment. It’s the media’s fault for giving him airtime and column inches – without them he might just slink back home and keep on his monogrammed slippers for good. FB, indeed.
Joe,
You likely won’t have seen this, but Flav was also on the grid at Monaco and was briefly interviewed by Martin Brundle during his “grid-walk” segment of the BBC coverage…
It seems that someone is interested in rehabilitating him… or maybe, as the passes are controlled by FOM rather than the FIA, Flav is part of a power game between Bernie and Jean Todt (who MB also managed a few words with).
YuppieScum,
I saw him in the grid… The sport deserves its reputation.
Well said Joe.
I, and I’m sure, every true supporter of motor SPORT agree with you.
Shame on the BBC.
Couldn’t agree more. I couldn’t believe it when they cut away to him in the car! Makes Williams’ decision to hire a ‘spy’ seem really small beer when a sociopath like Briatorre is still getting his 4rs3 kissed by the powers that be. All these bl00dy 1 percent ers look after each other, huh?
Yeah that seemed odd at the time, I assume having Flavio involved was Bernies condition for making it happen – it wouldnt be surprising.
Monaco was after all where Flavios reintroduction to F1 began, with Bernies help.
Well, the benefactor of the whole debacle, the _still_ “winner” of that 2008 farce, is still gainfully employed and happily interviewed and reported on by the media.
Joe,
Agreed, while you can’t keep Flabio and his impounded Yacht out of Monaco the sport does look somewhat schizophrenic parading around a Guy who is supposed to be banned. Let him watch from outside the fence or buy a ticket like the rest of us outsiders. What other major sport has endured being exposed with such a blatant Dupe? The fact that there really was no major scandal other than within the F1 community is concerning, it just demonstrates that on a Global scale F1 is not taken seriously as a Sport because it really should have been decimated by race fixing.
It seems Ecclestone gets some sort of thrill from ignoring & mocking outside authority, perhaps it’s his way of demonstrating who is really in charge, pretty self indulgent & amateurish and he deserves the sponsorship draught the sport is experiencing. So much for your Global audience Bernie, Perhaps they don’t feel like being made fools of, perhaps the jokes on you!
Good for you for calling these clowns out. You won’t be sipping Champagne among the privledged any time soon if you keep this up!
It’s part of the remit of Top Gear to cause offence, so I’m not surprised that Briatore was allowed in their filming. I generally like watching Top Gear, but this is another example of their immature side, which I really dislike.
But MB interviewing him on the grid walk is a different matter altogether. I’m not sure if was an opportunistic move by Brundle or whether the producers had pre-arranged an interview, as they so often do. I’d love to hear the BBC’s comments on this.
I also thought the ‘hi-jinx’ at the end of the Forum was really unnecessary…expensive sound equipment, paid for by taxpayers, ending up in the Red Bull puddle. Maybe I’m just a miserable old git, though.
Could not agree more. The sad part is about the Top gear episode is that it airs to millions of people not just around the Uk but it will be aired eventually across all the countries they sell it to. And by lifting up Briatore to the same levels as Bernie (well Bernie is not exactly mr perfect either) and Horner, that really gives him back a public platform at the centre of F1. Which is a terrible thing. Maybe evryone that reads this blog entry could take the time to go and comment on the BBC to express their disappointment.
A link to feedback for the show is here, if anyone is interested.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/feedback/
On Sky Germany Flavio was also interviewed (he said he was just “visiting some old friends”) but the race commentators wondered why he was hiding his accreditation or if in fact he had any. Marc Surer said: “Probably he doesn’t get a red one any longer that gives you access everywhere, so he’s not showing it around that much.”
By the way, the only “celebrity” on the grid that wasnot any driver’s girlfriend seemed to be Geri Halliwell, the, um, artist formerly known as Ginger Spice. Yay.
I thought the same as you Joe when I saw the TG clip prior to the race. Oh look my daughter said, there’s Flav the man who’s banned from Motor racing for life! That and the usual sickening parade of “celebrities” on the grid shows me that F1 is crossing the line between “the show” and the sport. And on top of all that Paul di Resta gets a drive through penaly – those stewards have really got in for the white boys eh?
James McLaren
Not sure about the “World Class” Coverage. I enjoy most of what the beeb does. But the Brundle/Coulthard commentary during the race is really starting to irritate me.
I have the race on tv and one computer screen showing the Driver Tracker, F1 Timing and McLarens pitwall website and with just that I can clearly keep abreast of exactly what is going on in the race. I’ve lost count of the inaccuracies they come up with during races, Brundle especially.
As for the top gear feature, I wouldn’t be surprised to find that the whole idea was Ecclestones hence the inclusion of Briatore. I wouldn’t have wanted to be James May in that feature, being directed around Monaco buy a guy who has previous for telling people to drive into walls..
Your facts are outdated. Flavio Briatore is not banned from FIA events. He was, until he sued the FIA and the ban was overturned. The FIA appealed and they reached a settlement. If it is good for the image of F1 is another matter, but at least he is perfectly allowed to be there. Flavio has been a force in F1 for a long time. He did something wrong, lost his job, lost his public image, and I’m sure took financial pains as well. He is not banned to be involved in the sport, and has been legally punished. If you think the punishment is fair or not is another matter, but he has settled it with the FIA. When Schumacher drove into Villeneuve on purpose he was excluded from the ’97 championship results, yet now nobody is complaining he is back in F1, at least not for that reason. People do things wrong, get punished, and then you move on.
Bart,
You do not know the terms of the settlement agreed, do you?
And I do not suppose you have read an Italian book called Il Signor Billionaire either.
Perhaps it would be wise to know more before you start telling everyone the rights and the wrongs of a situation.
I completely agree with you. I love Top Gear, but I was beyond disgusted by this.
You don’t like him, do you Joe?
Well guess what. Neither do I and neither should any other thinking person.
The man nauseates me.
From a sporting perspective i would say “what the …. is he doing there”.
But unfortunately F1 has little to do with sport and a lot to do with loads of money, law suits and power power power.
And in the end power always wins.
And officially he is allowed to work again in 2013 so this is part of his rehabilitation
Could not agree more Joe. And to keep it going, brundle asked him if he was coming back to F1 while on his grid walk. Amazing lack common sense.
williams are no better for funding mike coughlan’s return. cheats prosper in formula 1.
the beeb’s choice wasn’t smart, but i’m guessing they didn’t pay big-flav to sit in the car, in which case what frank williams has done is much worse and the damage will be longer lasting.
Heck, I was only *joking* when i said other day Flav was smooching around Monaco trying to do deals. Not a hard guess to make.
That skit made no sense whatsoever.
What cars were they driving again?
Looked like an advert to me.
For anyone who doesn’t know i make my living from ads, you do now. I actually get angry at the BBC carrying any obviously sponsored sport, allowing my love of F1 to bend that for a sole exception because that is F1′s history, but went apoplectic when Lords started emblazoning the wickets and deep slips, voted with feet on that, though i suppose giving up watching cricket on telly is not a properly observed Lent for me . .
Moreover I was watching with a friend and her daughter, neither of whom had ever watched a Grand Prix before, and when that came on the young girl asked “what was that?” and her mom immediately reacted “an advert darling”, at which point i double took, had someone switched the channel, the devils? I was confused, too.
So, the bad impression was not lost on the “general public”, either.
It may be worth a complaint.
That aside, F1 just gained two new converts this weekend, and for that i’m really happy and still smiling. The evil me is now wondering whether they’ll get subs to Joe’s mag for birthdays *sucks little pinky finger in corner of mouth*
Thanks Joe for hitting on this subject. Something is indeed very fishy here, or just plain broke. I had thought myself to put it right out of my mind, like treadding in dog foul on the street, and thought maybe you’d pass on it. But, reflecting, it shouldn’t get off so lightly.
I think it would be entirely reasonable to ask the BBC to disclose how this silliness was arranged.
(warming up my best Points Of View “reader’s voice” channeling Andrew Neil’s lilting mock eyebrow raised disdain)
– j
I noticed that the passengers were not wearing helmets – only the drivers. I presume this was because they would not be recognized inside a helmet, which would defeat the object of this BBC ‘Blue Peter’ stunt.
Thought: if anyone has the time and talent, who could we CG insert opposite Flav in that car, taking the mickey? This has to be torn down a strip, internet meme style . . scripts anyone?
Serious thought, about rehabbing the Flav. Genuinely, by his age, i hope i won’t care (or have to), but if i did get blackballed, i hope i’d have the grace to go somewhere to die in extravagantly poor style.
Only solution, get the taste out of mouth, hit up a matinee of the Senna movie, out any day here now.
Joe, Although I agree that what he did was undenyably wrong, the rest of the people in F1 won’t be whiter than white – even if they make out they are. C’est la vie, as they say where you live.
sean,
There is a difference between trying to find ways to win by pushing into regulatory grey areas and outright cheating and manipulation.
Hey Martin
I think it is world-class tbh. I’m enjoying the increased technical aspect of the Brundle-Coulthard partnership (and yes I get annoying by MB’s occasional inaccuracies, but he’s better than Maurice Hamilton and Murray). But we’re not here to get into this debate!
Even if Briatore is *technically* allowed back into FIA events, there’s an element of morality involved here. The BBC, but putting him into a car on telly, inadvertently sanctions his proven cheating and driver/spectator/marshal endangerment. There’s no way for me that someone who intentionally engineers an accident should be allowed back into a sport which – lest we forget – is very dangerous.
James McLaren,
I could not agree more.
just a very minor but important point here but was flavio ever found guilty beyond reasonable doubt in a properly constituted court of law?
was piquet jnr ‘forced’ to carry out the ‘alleged’ act of crashing to order? if not, then why was turning rat given absolute freedom from penalty?
when the initial allegations were made some 6/9months previously why weren’t they subjected to intense scrutiny by the FIA? why did charlie whiting not set up an investigation?
lots of unanswered questions here joe!!!
kenji
The FIA has a right to ban people if the procedures are properly followed. It was not done correctly in this case. That is the only reason that a civil court was needed. The settlement was that he would stay out of F1 for five years. The one hurdle that still exists is that he will need to apply for an FIA licence if he wishes to be team principal. I doubt he would get one.
Bart,
chiming in,
would you invite to your party, a guest you know is going to piss off your other guests?
I’ve naively and innocently done that enough times, could be innocent misjudgement the whole thing, or maybe senility is a factor here somewhere . . . or loyalty . . . or some other connexion which makes a man beholden.
Flav’s history is not cool. I once had my windows done in by an IRA bomb. That was directed at my neigbors, and thankfully they got the wrong address, and fluffed their technique, or likely i’d not be here and certainly not others. Things with Flavio were much more personal, about the same time.
I’ve not yet read the book Joe mentions, but i imagine it won’t need much translating. Some things just don’t need translating. Alternatively, you could use google’s news timeline service, and flick back to the 80s for hints.
Take it in a totally dry, technical way: this is a serious misjudgement by Bernie. The words “bringing the sport into disrepute” want to drip from my tounge. It won’t need Sorrel to start saying “enough, Bernie”, I think.
Yes, i am starting to think this silly few minutes of television actually does put FOA/FOM in play.
– john
Thanks Joe. Keep up the excellent work with the blog; it’s great reading.
i hear what you say joe but you still haven’t addressed the points that i raised.
whilst i have no affection for briatore i find that his continued vilification without the benefit of all evidence being tested somewhat reminiscent of 3rd world law and order.
populism is never an acceptable alternative to the absolute truth in detail.
Kenji,
You are not listening. The FIA studied the evidence, confessions and so on, and concluded that Briatore had been responsible. The evidence was tested and admitted to by some of those involved. If Briatore did not actually admit it, it does not mean that he is innocent. The process that was gone through was legally acceptable – in principle. The FIA has a right to rule on its own regulations. It can ban someone for life if it follows the procedures laid down in the regulations. It did not do so. Thus Briatore took the federation to court and won not on the question of his guilt, but rather on the procedures involved. After that there had to be a settlement between Briatore and the FIA, which by that point had been taken over by Jean Todt. Thus your premise that populism is somehow involved in wrong. In my opinion Briatore, who does not even like motor racing other than as a means to make money and raise his own profile, should be banned for life and, at the very least, not given a licence to be a team principal or team owner. The man does not deserve a second chance.
All I can say is that when the television coverage caught Flavio mincing through the grid, the collective groan from we half dozen F1 fruitcakes in the heart of Australia was so intense I’m surprised it wasn’t heard in Monaco.
Even with the contrived finish, don’t agree in the slightest that it was a poor race/ spectacle.
We watch F1 to be enthralled and put on the edge of our seats, not stullified to sleep.
Monaco was a scintillatinly supercharged spectacle, full of drama and incident and every one of us just knew that Hamilton was on the edge and lining up for a swim in the harbour.
Having said that, good on him – warts on all – for having a go and I hope he stuck it up the elf and safty mob in the stewards’ room.
We reckon Alonso would have brushed Button aside with ease and climbed all over Vettel had there not been a red flag.
I know the BBC needs to accept responsibility for all of it’s output but the top gear team is very much a separate outfit within the Corp structure. BBC sport is quite different to the entertainment departments. I was quite surprised to see flav dragged in on top gear. My personal feeling knowing a few of the beeb and top gear crew is that flav was a) one of the few people available who anyone had heard of b) Bernie let’s him in and probably even suggested it and c) the top gear crew are always spoiling for a fight and there will likely be a few snide comments in the introduction to flav.
Not sure what brundle was doing chatting though. If I recall he did at last years monza race or am I dreaming that?
Joe,
can you shed any light on who upset David Tremane so much in MC?
His piece in GP+ was way too criptic for me.
it was all tangeld up with dropping the owner of a leopard skin speedboat into the Med. I know who that is, but DT said he made up with his antagonist on Sunday. That was hardly FB?
John
John O’Sullivan,
You would have to ask him about that. It was his column.
Other John,
Afaik F1 is not a private party I am hosting (that would be cool). We all know Flavio is guilty. If he had gotten a lifetime ban I’d have been fine with it, and we wouldn’t be having this discussion. But he didn’t get a lifetime ban, so he will be back. You can’t give someone a five year sentence and then keep them in jail forever. You can’t blame the fish for trying to slip out the net. So who is the real party at fault? The basic thing it boils down to is, either you accept that Flavio will be back eventually, since his ban is temporary, or you find out why all this really happened and who is the rotten apple in this picture. Joe has alluded to “the people he knows” helping him out. Wouldn’t we want those people to leave with Flavio?
When does Flavio’s ban end? I see him coming back either to head up Ferrari or to take over from Bernie.
Does everyone really think what Renault F1 did in 08 was so bad, or that is hasn’t ever happened before in the sport?
I saw one journalist comment that Petrov stated he crashed on purpose to avoid replicating Jaime’s mounting of Lewis in the crash. If this is true you have a Renault driver crashing to avoid possibly hitting a Renault engined race leader, and ultimately gifting the Renault engined team the win. Nothing to report here?
Jon Wilde,
What was done in Singapore in 2008 is no comparison to anything before or since (at least nothing that was ever proven). I am amazed that any true F1 fan does consider otherwise. Briatore is banned until 2013. I hope he never comes back. I consider his very presence bad for the sport. One can argue that the sport needs characters, but not characters like this one.
joe, i am fully aware of all the procedures that took place and i was not referring to briatores win in judgement. you are not listening to what i say.
the FIA does not represent a legally constituted court of law. yes it can rule over its own rules and regs. that is not my point.
the other two issues i raised are valid points at law and there has been no adequate response from you. each of those points are an integral part of the whole question and cannot be addressed in isolation.piquet and whiting appear to have been absolved which is a very strange. plea bargaining nearly always hides a large part of the truth being made public.
obviously this is not the venue for the topic to be discussed. i just find it all rather sad that someone can be vilified without everyone knowing all the exact details.
kenji,
The exact details are known. It is not a question of legality outside the sport. It was a question of the rules of the sport. Briatore did what he was accused of doing. That has never been challenged. The method of his punishment was wrong. He challenged that and he won. He has not challenged the fact that he was punished, because he deserved it.
Hmm, methinks this Max M legacy is not over yet.
What Joe says about FIA procedurals is, potentially, still live.
Way to break the free to air and others?
I know of one French motor club who might like to offer their good services
– j
John (other John)
I think you are reading too much into this. Only one organisation has the right to award World Championships. That is all that matters
Jon,
I think everyone can at least agree on what they did was really bad. You have to remember that despite the safety improvements made since 94 there have been fatalities with marshals after incidents. When this happens by accident it is bad enough. If a crash is engineered and puts their lives on the line it is definitely very bad. These people volunteer their time for the sport and to safeguard the drivers lives. I don’t think a team has ever before crashed a car on purpose as strategy, at least not found out about it. Drivers may have. You could argue Senna crashed into Prost on purpose and vice versa. This could’ve hurt a marshal too. But at least they didn’t plan it pre-race.
Hi Bart,
what i wrote was conjecture, as it is also read by others, so notsomuch directed at you, not personally anyhow, your name there really for context in the thread.
I did not say *private* party. You can do what you like in a private party. F1 is a public party, or must at least hold out like one, or demise. So, different rules again.
I think i agree with you strongly on your points otherwise.
However, if you are sentenced, there is still also the social punishment. Even petty or technical crimes carry with them terrible personal penalties. If only *that* was taught better, sentencing could be so light as it is in criminal courts today. Just as with oiks who flout the law serially and unconscionably in our society, the problem is having no shame. Heard of a guy called Mike Milken? He was done for 12 years for just two instances of paperwork errors which never before carried more than a fine. (there is such a thing as having an awful arrogant, disrespectful attitude in court which convicts you fast, he had it in spades) But the prosecutors knew he was over. That’s a vast story, and one which matters to our real economy positively, moreso than current scandals, so no more now. But just look what people write about him. And he was *acquitted* on appeal! Do we not treat Flav just a bit too nicely?
And i agree again with you, that the people connected should all resign. This is a rich yet bankrupt princedom.
thanks for writing back,
– john
Very poor judgement by the BBC. Shocking enough that the man is creeping back into F1 but to have given him the oxygen of publicity made me wonder what they were thinking of.
The fact that he is back on the grid proves more than ever that in F1 money talks with a very very loud voice.
what about whitings cover up and piquets absolution? you never mentioned that?
anyway joe, if you say so then it must be right. you obviously know it all.
kenji C,
No need to get sarcastic about things. It is often a sign that you are running out of arguments. In this case I am sure that you are. There was no cover up. Whiting did not act because there was not sufficient evidence to do anything. Once the legally-sworn statement was made by Piquet Jr then the process moved forward. Thus that is not the right expression to use. Piquet’s absolution was effectively a plea-bargain, which are perfectly acceptable in some legal jurisdictions. In any case, he was a young man who was forced into a situation where he would have lost his drive and be unable to prove what had happened if he had refused to go along with the plan. And who would have believed such a story if the crash had not happened? Cynics (and Flavio) would have said that he was fired because of his poor performances.
Joe,
yes, I’m reading too much into this. True.
But, until you find out the owner of the lepoard skin launch, i’m not wholly convinced
to all,
was shooting the conspiratorial breeze. Those smiley emoticons just make everything format less prettily, otherwise i’m profilgate with tounge in cheek!
– john
If you like a good conspiracy theory, the gentlemen over at f1-rejects podcast do a spectacular line in them.
Dear Joe Saward,
How is it possible that Mr Briatore was on the starting grid?
I have never seen that advertised as part of the F1 paddock club package. If you know a way to get onto the starting grid as part of a paddock club ticket I would like to know how. E-mail me if you know as it would be a dream come true.
While the BBC may give him exposure on Top Gear someone allowed him the exposure to well over 100 million on the grid walk as he walked past various international broadcasters on the grid walk pre race.
If F1 is going to return to Bahrain then forgiveness will have to become part of the sport as well considering the loss of life that caused the race to be postponed. Hopefully the sport will pay recognition to those that lost their lives.
To simply go back and ignore what happened would be even more dangerous from both ignoring the loss of protesters which could cause more protests to saying as well to international viewers never mind the loss of life, now lets watch F1 and forget that the protests happened.
At the next meeting to decide if the race should go ahead it would be good if all parties come to a way not just to host a race but to work together for a better future for people in Bahrain.
Bart,
I take you point that for many (me included) what Renault did in 08 was wrong, but you can argue it was actually good for the sport.
If you take the opinion “any publicity is good publicity”
On the point about no other team having been caught fixing a race through ordering a driver to crash, again I agree with you. However are we then saying Flavio et al are being punished because of the incident or because they got caught.
Honestly I don’t know
Flavio may not be the most likeable person in F1, but is Bernie? In my opinion the sport/ business of F1 is improved by these characters.
move on, joe, that chip on your shoulder must be weighing you down by now.
CTP,
I cannot fathom the attitude of people who say that one should move on when people do unforgivable things. This man fundamentally abused and damaged the sport that apparently you love. And you wnat to give him the chance to do it again? He does not even like motor racing. It is just about money, power and being on TV.
Yup, Joe you are right.
Hundreds (possibly thousands?) of famous faces to choose from and they choose Briatore. Come on, thats really poor.
I was really surprised and disappointed to see him in the car.
Not too happy MB on the grid walk, but that may have been harder for him to deal with as he knows Briatore personally – he didn’t exactly hang around to talk with him though either.
Tbh Joe, I feel that you dont really know the facts here. I agree completely with Kenji. I would advise you to go back and look at the facts. If you have something personal against Mr Briatore then thats another matter…..
What about Pat SYMONDS? Should he be allowed back? in any capacity?
PaulN,
In my opinion no.
My main point of surprise in this event is that Christian Horner allowed himself to be seen in association with Flav. one can only assume that some coercion was used by Bernie.
Clarkson is now too fat to look good in a crash helmet. The contrast with the skeletal Bernie alongside him was alarming. Still (Clarkson) is on his uppers apparently homeless and looking for friends, preferably rich ones.
Hammond should know better (but fairly regularly proves he doesn’t ) but probably had the only one of the three he could talk to.
One is left to wonder with Flav’s directions to James May, how they made it round the circuit ( “A sinister what? Oh you meant left at the last turning, ah, so sinister is left and right is what? Desperate you say?)
Whilst I used to be an avid Top Gear fan, their efforts to amuse are looking increasingly contrived and tired.
I suspect that a large number of the Top Gear audience are also F1 fans, and this will not go down well with them. (I must write to Terry Wogan)
I now watch with the sound down, the subtitles on and Ant and Crofty R5LiveExtraSporty thingy commentary online. (Much better except for football breaking into the commentary, (cant stand football!))
If Bernie let Flav in the back door it is another indication that he is out of touch with current opinion.
Totally agree! Well done Joe!
I was most suprised to see him wandering through the grid We here in Australia dont get the BBC pre GP telecast just the commentary during the race…. But the ONE hd boys did say hey theres Flav…… thats all we got… Joe cant the FIA tell him to PO…… Joe is there a possibility no matter how distainful it may be that he may take over the Renault group lotus Gen capital team……
@ efBir,
I wasn’t surprised that Brundle spoke to Briatore on the grid. I’d like to think it wasn’t because of a lack of other people to talk to (which may well be the reason) but rather because Brundle knew that people would have a strong opinion of his presence there and no decent interviewer (for that is his role during that point of the coverage in my opinion) would shy away an opportunity to confront an issue head on. His question was, if memory serves “are you coming back to Formula 1″, which whilst not exactly hard-hitting cut right to the heart of the matter and voiced what most viewers would have been wondering from their armchair.
I must echo the opinions of several that the cutover to the Top Gear segment was absent the usual slick BBCF1 quality. I too was puzzled for a moment and thought I was watching a commercial. I too was dumbfounded to see Briatore as VIP number 3. Was that really the best they could do? Unlikely I would say, there are moves in play to reintroduce Briatore to the F1 viewing public by measures I feel.
And what would be wrong with that?
Of course I don’t agree with his actions back in Singapore. I don’t particularly find him an engaging person when interviewed. Nor do I feel he is passionate about the sport as so many other senior team figures are (or project themselves to be).
But remember that F1 is a Circus. It is Theatre and at times it is Pantomine. All good shows are better for a villain and it’s clear from the 60+ comments above this one that Briatore generates strong feeling and opinion. Perhaps the Ringmaster recognises this and is running another little strategm to spice up the ‘show’
Good grief. How anyone can argue with the central premise of Joe’s column is beyond me. It’s quite simple. Ignore the minutiae of the legalities of an appeal at the FIA or the courts. This man, and his cronies in the Renault team at the time endangered lives and cynically manipulated the outcome of a race in a manner that went over and above the driver-initiated foolishness of Senna or Schumacher. It was calculated, preplanned cheating as nefarious as any we’ve seen in the sport.
This has nothing to do with chips on shoulders – it’s about the amount of F1 fans all over the world who, like me, choked at the sight of Briatore appearing on a forum we thought he’d never be seen in again.
That we have seen him on the grid, gladhanding the ‘great and the good’ leaves a very bad taste in the mouth. It’s the same bad taste I get when I see Pat Symonds’ column in F1 Racing. These people should be frozen out of the sport for the number of years the FIA decided was an appropriate time.
James McLaren,
Hear, hear!
@James McLaren
What about the other alleged participants in the 2008 scandal? Is it OK for the perpetrator to still be able to buy a seat in F1 if he finds the money? Is it OK for the benefactor to go on his merry ways?
Is it OK for the “result” of the 2008 Singapore GP, the 800th race in the history of Formula 1, to stay on the record books unchallenged?
The BBC are not there to judge, just as the FIA like to remain internationally neutral
I could not agree more – I was equally as disgusted by Martin Brundle’s behaviour.
It’s all pretty simple isn’t it? Briatore did something that seriously damaged the sport and therefore shouldn’t be allowed to associate himself with it anymore.
Briatore should not be allowed any where near F1 for the same reasons that we should not return to Bahrain, it is just morally just not right…
Well done Joe, nice piece…
I guess with the FIA unable to ban him from the venues (which was what he got overturned not the guilt bit..) and him still being a big friend of Bernie’s he’s going to be coming back more in the future.. As long as Bernie isn’t trying to get him more involved with running FOM! Its not surprising while they were also trying to get Bahrain back onto the calendar though..
Not sure why Top Gear had to go for him, maybe they’ll cover more about it in the main show. They really must have had trouble convincing others though.
Talking of the BBC, you were spotted having a conversation with Christian Horner during the Mark Webber bit
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/formula_one/13589538.stm
I do hope they change that red flag tyre change rule soon!
”This man, and his cronies in the Renault team at the time endangered lives”
Dear Mr McLaren
No one is disagreeing, but what will Mr Saward have to say when F1 arrives back in Bahrain and what will F1 have to say?
Business as usual?
When you arrive you will see the pearl statue has gone, even previous governments that have witnessed protests have not gone as far as dismantling a structure or area that a protest took place in to try and erase what happened which was done in Bahrain.
If F1 working with the Bahrain authorities and everyone else does not come together to create a positive future it will not look good for the sport to be there.
Perhaps you can pass this on to those within F1 and the FIA that have an image to keep as if you feel Briatore raises questions about the credibility of certain bodies then so does returning to Bahrain if not done correctly.
Mr A,
F1 will not be returning to Bahrain this year so it is not really an issue. Next year maybe things will have been done to make the return visit acceptable.
I don’t blame Brundle for talking to Flav – he’s a journalist now and should present F1 to the world, flaws and all. “What the ****** hell are you doing here?” would have been a bit rude, and the informed viewer knows the context of his question. If Bernie is trying to manouvere Flav back into F1, this should be exposed, not ignored.
Flav should never have been allowed to be there in the first place, but that’s another issue.
Don’t confuse F1 with sport. It’s an entertainment business.
Closed shop, secret deals, secret contract signings, undisclosed purses.
Rule changes to spice up the show, not the competition.
Did Briatore really damage the sport? As far as I’m aware viewing figures have grown since it all came to light and money is still coming in…
Andrew,
How can you ask that question?
F1 will really have to look hard at the issue of Bahrain. Normally the argument – from some – is that sport and politics shouldn’t mix, but this is F1. This is the most luxuriantly political of sports, with its multi-million pound deals, its fraternising with governments, and also the fact that many governments prop up their grands prix. Sometimes sport has to take a political stance and, like the boycott of South Africa during its apartheid years, the powers that be at FOM have to take a decision whether to work with oppressive regimes that happen to host GPs. I would assume that Bahrain won’t be back on the calendar; it’d be difficult to find an acceptable reason why. Not sure who’d be judged to have broken that contract though…
Too right Joe!!!! And while they were down there I hope some of the mexicans would of bopped Thingymabob Hammond right on the nose for his recent disgusting comments about people from that country. This used to be such a good show but in the last few years has turned so far up it’s own rear end it needs an overhaul. Not sure why the BBC allows this show to air racist, classist and homophobic comments as it has done in recent series. It used to be such a great show without that stuff.
Apparently the “any involvement in F1″ doesn’t really mean much as Flavio was pictured with paddock passes hanging around his neck this weekend. Who gave him those and why aren’t they being investigated for issuing them to him? What did Jean Todt think of him being there? He was there. Does he not find that uncomfortable if not going against Flavio’s ban?
It’s all kind of pot calling kettle black when you read some of the words in the statement Bernie and Flav made about Amit Bahtia and the QPR affair. I still have some concerns on why a proven cheat in one professional sport can be accepted in another.
What kind of positive example or proving that lessons have been learned is being set with any of this and why do the powers that be allow it?
Mr Saward,
That would counter a new BBC article with the organisers asking for a race this year but I would trust your well credited time covering F1 probably knows more than this BBC article.
You said ”Next year maybe things will have been done” but realistically when you have a global audience watching that are aware what of what happened there is little question things will have to be done.
F1 is in no way to blame for what happened but it will have to act carefully when it arrives back with it being a prestige event.
Next years race will arrive after the anniversary and without acknowledging what happened and trying to make a positive impact for the future it would make the decision to allow Briatore onto the grid pre race in front of international broadcasters and onto a Top Gear segment look insignificant if people just drink champagne and enjoy the hospitality while the stands are empty because the ticket prices are too high for locals though attending an F1 race is probably very low down on the list of freedoms and things people may want to do.
@ Bart – So what is like being Flavio’s lawyer?
Withdraw that last comment at Bart please Joe or publish my apology. Did not read all the comments first
Very wrong of me
Joe I can ask the question because it obviously hasn’t damaged the sport. The sport has proven that its bigger than that one episode in fact.
F1 attracts a broader range of sponsors now than when it did when the affair came to light, LG became an official partner, Hublot and UBS came on board last year, DHL and Allianz have renewed and are paying increased fees. 2009 audience was 520m, 2010 audience was 527m.
Sure it damaged Renault GP’s image at the time, but one team doesn’t make a sport – did we see other teams sponsors leave because of Briatore? No. Did FOM lose TV deals over Briatore? No. Are less viewers tuning in? Clearly not. Will the emergence of Flavio recently in Monaco (or on top gear?!) dissuade future sponsors or disgust viewers so much that they turn off and never watch F1 again? No. Will your loyal followers stop watching F1? No.
The sport has moved on and the Renault team have moved on – time to be realistic, ‘F1 en mass’ couldn’t care less about what happened then and what Flavio is doing in the Paddock now.
andrew,
The sport is not about money. That is a side-effect. The man fixed a race. If you love any kind of sport, then that is a terrible thing to do.
Andrew
”Did Briatore really damage the sport? As far as I’m aware viewing figures have grown since it all came to light and money is still coming in…”
The crash was planned to happen in the most inaccessible part of the circuit to force the deployment of the safety car to help the team win.
This brought race stewards into the most danger they face which is not acceptable on top of trying to help the team win.
Viewing figures are good and money is still coming in but only because decisive action was taken against those who brought the sport into a bad light.
James McLaren
”Sometimes sport has to take a political stance and, like the boycott of South Africa during its apartheid years, the powers that be at FOM have to take a decision whether to work with oppressive regimes that happen to host GPs.”
If F1 can’t see a way to go back they should look at South Africa again. It sets a good example of how a country can come from political protests to a growing economy working with people.
Like the issues raised by Mr Saward of Mr Briatore being so visible at the last race if F1 goes back to Bahrain with a business as usual stance it will bring the sport and prestige of F1 into another bad light.
Andrew,
Yes he did, ok money continues to flow and viewing figures continue to rise, but this is in spite of what Briatore and the others did. Just looking at it in cold financial terms is difficult, as sponsors did leave and maybe others would have come, but decided against it due to the (massive) negative publicity created by the incident in Singapore.
The truth is the financial implications are not the point, Briatore damaged the reputation of the sport, the fact that the sport didn’t die because of it is irrelevent.
There really is no argument for him to be issued with a pass or a ticket to any FIA sanctioned event and Joe is quite right to point out the BBC’s error in featuring him in their coverage.
Andrew,
He fixed a race.
Biggus,
If I may add…
…and he got caught.
Part if the interest in F1 is the incredible list of characters that have come and gone over the years. They have included every type of cheat, charlatan, rascal and rogue. Their actions have been self centered, dishonest and dangerous. There has hardly been a car rolled to a grid that hasn’t at some point had some solicitor waiting to grab it while other solicitors fight to prevent it. And who for a second would think that the oh so squeaky clean corporations – waiting in the wings to sponsor F1 just as soon as it rids itself of such nefarious history – are any less unscrupulous as those who occasionally stink up the paddock. I would expect there are valid reasons for your dislike of the Flav, but he is by no means alone, nor are any sponsors so different when you look as closely. From zero to hero to zero works in all walks of life, business, politics and sport. Methinks that F1 is an interesting mirror of all things great and small at the top.
I can understand some peoples objection to Flav being involved in F1, but does his appearence on this show mean he is involved. I think not.
If I had bought a ticket or an old F1 pal had given me a pass would that make me “involved in F1″? No, I’m just on a free jolly.
Andrew,
I completely agree with your comments and perspective.
This may be a slightly odd tangent, but I was recently listening to a film review radio show (5live) in which a director of a film the critic was reviewing commented that film critics can get too close to the industry and should take a step back to see the bigger picture.
I’m sure Joe will not agree with my sentiment, but I think the same point is valid here. Some F1 journalists may benefit from taking a fresh view on F1 and maybe re-evaluate there position on certain topics.
A debate between fans regarding events surrounding the world of F1 is always a good thing, but it, in my opinion, should not be the place of a journalist to question a fans “love” of a sport simply for not sharing the same opinion as them.
Jon Wilde,
I am greatly saddened by your post and the suggestion that “some journalists” need a fresh view about F1. I have a fresh view about the sport. I try to be as positive as I can be but there are some things that need to be said – and no-one is saying them. At the end of the day I do what I think is right and I think I am well qualified to have an opinion. The aim of the blog is to make F1 a little more inclusive, by offering fans the opportunity to see more behind the walls of F1. If the commenters abuse the person offering them this opportunity, or treat him disrespectfully by suggesting that he does not know what he is talking about, or needs to have a new perspective, then I see absolutely no point in the whole exercise. If what I do is not appreciated, I am simply wasting my effort. I am more tempted than ever to simply untick the “Allow comments” box and save myself time, energy and stress.
What Flavio did was wrong, that’s an absolute fact. But its wrong to say that F1 and TV execs need to learn and exclude such ‘characters’ otherwise it won’t appeal to fresh money and a wider audience, that’s been proven and that’s the part of the argument which I don’t like – the whole episode is now part of F1′s history and whilst I hate to say it all part of what makes F1 intriguing i.e the lengths people will go to.
Lewis playing the racial card (or not) is something I don’t like but I applaud him for expressing himself whilst in other sports you get the same mundane answers from its participants week in week out.
Whilst what Flavio did was extreme, dangerous, and morally wrong there are other things that have happened in the past that have genuinely damaged the sport as a whole, but didn’t result in driving into a wall.
Joe, the sport of F1 which we all love to watch and are involved in one way or another is about money, more so than any other sport in the world – its another reason why it intrigues people. Red Bull spends more money than Virgin and the grid order showcases that.
andrew,
People with no sense of morality will, in my opinion, always do the same thing twice and they will try to make sure the second time that they do not make the mistakes that resulted in them getting caught. There are some people that a sport is better off without.
Joe,
My intention was not to sadden you, and of course I like all the other readers of your blog appreciate your work. What I struggle with is when you question a fans love for the sport simply because they have a different opinion to your own.
A difference of opinion is surely a good thing.
Keep up the great work! please keep the allow comments box ticked!
Jon,
I have no problem with people expressing opinions. But sadly, despite the utopian tendencies of those with a health & safety mentality, we do not live in a world where everyone is right and no-one is wrong. Sometimes there are stupid opinions and my view is that these opinions should be questioned and perhaps, just perhaps, those holding ridiculous views will have the intelligence to modify them as a result of a discussion. Anyone who thinks that fixing F1 races is acceptable behaviour and that no damage was done is wrong. Such behaviour creates and sustains the image that F1 is business for shonky people – and that means that the sport cannot reach its maximum potential.
I can’t agree more with you on this, Joe.
I felt exactly the same way when FB was interviewed by the French (TF1) TV. I did not even want to hear what he said: he is such a liar after all…
Regards
Joe I am with you 100% on this latest discussion.
Briatore was banned from F1: so why has he appeared with all the necessary passes? Either he is banned or he isn’t.
And no, I do not like “it was all a while ago and we can move on now” I never like this when applied for example to terrorists or ruthless governments and I do not see why I should find the apparent rehabilitation of Briatore acceptable.
Joe, the BBC do a wondeful job, no question, and I’ve been so impressed with their F1 work for the last couple of years, planning and execution. But the whole celebrity thing is taking over, and this weekend was the lowest point. Not only the Briatore and Top Gear coverage, but the increasing amount of airtime given to the idiotic, half-coherent rubbish that spouts from Eddie Jordan, culminating in extended coverage of the several attempts to drown him in the Red Bull pool.
What really saddens me is that the BBCF1 producer seems oblivious to the fact that they are providing perfect ammunition for the anti brigade – ” . . .our licence fee being wasted on this . . .” I really hope something shakes them back to providing sports coverage, and away from the idea that they and the celebs are the show.
As for EJ – I know that so many people feel thay owe him a lot, but that doesn’t make his views and grasp worthy of air time.
I should quickly add – Brundel & Coulthard’s race commentary is the best I’ve heard, no complaints there at all!
This is beginning to read like a Daily Mail forum!
There’s more to this than meets the eye
and time will reveal the truth.
As they say, ‘keep your friends close and your enemies even closer’.
Excellent blog thanks,
outraged of Tunbridge Wells!
I believe you are too extreme in your opinion Joe.
Help me understand, please.
Once someone is guilty of something, then that something is unforgivable and we should hold that over their head for the remainder of their life?
Or is it just this particular case?
Or does it go something like… You do not like Flavio and will continue to be negative towards him regardless ?
Wow.
Hewis,
You don’t know half the story, so let me write from the position of someone who knows and jut accept what I am saying
Paul Leclercq
You say either he is banned or he isn’t.
Well, he isn’t. Does that effect your opinion?
Spot on Jo. Cheaters never prosper , unless they are friends of Bernie, in which case it’s ok.
I actually missed that but it certainly sends the wrong message. The BBC sport division appears to be in trouble. 2 day coverage of the masters, talking about dropping f1.
How about getting rid if some of the tripe like soaps and endless overpaid newsreaders and presenters.
Fixing races is unacceptable behavior. Damage is done by cheating. It make little difference whether it’s telling your driver to crash into a wall, stopping on the track in such a way as to prevent your competitor from beating your pole time, or running light then adding back the weight with a watering can of lead. Cheating is cheating and it all adds up to race fixing.
Brilliant piece, Joe.
I was especially sickened when Brundle chose to spoke to him for the second time since his banning. The first, sometime last year, one got the impression that Martin was somewhat caught on the hop, and he mostly redeemed himself a few races later by just walking past FB saying “dunno what HE’S doing here”, or similar. So I thought he’d got the message.
So was really dismayed when he interviewed him again this time. Not sure the “So are you coming back to Formula 1 or what?” was said in quite the right tone of voice for someone who didn’t approve…I’m kinda hoping it was in a “give him enough rope and he’ll hang himself” kind of way, but I suspect not…and quite frankly I’d just rather not see him at all.
As for the Top Gear thing, well I guessed that was just because it was done by the Top Gear team rather than the usual F1 crew, so I still wasn’t happy, but I’d rather that, than have the man on the grid, and being interviewed, no less.
I was saddened to see fat sweaty Flabbio there, but when your mates with the little one, then I guess you get in anywhere.
Did anyone else think when Bernie was in the car with whoever was driving him round, he needed a booster seat ? No wonder he didn’t have his seatbelt on, it would have rubbed his face and probably blocked half his vision.
The Flav/Symonds affair clearly is an inflammatory issue. There are strong views either side. Symonds admitted his involvement – fair play, got punished and has now got his feet in the door with Virgin. Flav denied everything. I think thats a key point. SYMONDS put his hands up whereas Flav sat on his hands. I sometimes think whats the difference with misdemeanours in Sport and a convicted murderer. After a sometimes lenient sentence (with remission) murderers leave jail, sentenced served and can re-join society having been ‘reformed’ by his time in prison (whether they plead guilty or not or whether they accept that they have been reformed). They have a criminal record, but time served they are no different to me or you.
Society accepts the idea of crime and punishment. Even murderers come back into society. Flav was found guilty and was punished. Once he serves his punishment, why can he not come back?
Before you fire off your vitriol at me (lol), I am in the Joe camp on this one and believe that he should have a life-time ban as he was the leading figure in the affair and showed no contrition… (I’m just putting the contrary view). The sport can do without him.
Im the biggest Top Gear fan going, but I was sickened by seeing Flav being given air time. Bernie I can understand, Horner I can understand… but Flav?.. WTF was he doing there…..?….. maybe it was the Top Gear irony going into overdrive.
MS crashed into DH.
MS crashed into JV.
MS parked his car at Rascasse.
MS almost crashed RB off the track.
what part of “does these people ever learn” would you like me to explain?
MS is and will always be considered one if not the greatest drivers in the world.
“do these people ever learn.” need i go on…
@Hewis:
Paul Leclercq
You say either he is banned or he isn’t.
Well, he isn’t. Does that effect your opinion?
************************************
Thought he was.
Still, makes no difference to my opinion, none at all.
I think he’s slimy, don’t like him and prefer not to see him.
well joe, i have been following this thread for some time and i take particular note of your last post. you claim to have preferential knowledge of the affair and inside information which you choose not to print here. why?
why should anyone take any notice of that when you are not prepared to share that knowledge here? is it because that it is sub judice? are you concerned that it is unverifiable and that it could be legally challenged? or is it simply hearsay?
to say outright ‘i just know more than you so don’t question my wisdom’ is unacceptable in the extreme. i am not seriously trying to be provocative but i would welcome your comments….in detail and not a put down.
kenji C,
I have no idea what you are talking about. Be more specific
june 3rd. reply to hewis,
quote, ‘ you don’t know half the story, so let me write from the position of someone who knows and just accept what i am saying’.
now either i have misread your post but i did make it clear that i was referring to your ‘last post’ which appears to be directed to hewis? this is all in the context of the diatribe against briatore.
appreciate your comments.
I totally agree with this. And want to add some more,
I was on holiday in Cannes during the GP Monaco, so had to watch TF1 and again they interviewed Briatore with Miss France on the starting grid. It makes me angry, especially when that Miss France says about that Briatore ‘c’est une légende”. So, do some racefixing and you become a legend. I hope that Miss France daddy will get maid when he plays his horse betting (le Tierce) and discovers some fixing. I hope het daddy will lose money.
As if this was not enough, I went last Sunday to see the movie of Senna, in Monaco. And it comes to my mind during the movie that Williams and Senna thaught that Benetton B194 (yes, with team manager Briatore) were using illegal traction systemts which afterwards proved right. That was also fixing, remember Hockenheim and the fuel incident.
Then, earlier this week Renault F1 told they were in good financial health and that the rumors about their bad finances cames from Briatore. Yes, one can not say that with the shit Eric Bouillier inherited from Briatore he has done a superb job. For me, Bouillier has been one of the positive discoveries of 2010.
I agree with you Joe, the press should not talk about Briatore, never mention his name. But sorry Joe, a lot of your colleagues are so dumb to interview and talk about him all the time. In the US Bernie Madoff is in jail and nobody want sto talk to him for his wrongdoings. I can’t understand Mark Webber complaining about Bahrein but accepting a racefixing manager to represent him.
i wonder why brits are so mad with flavio?
they should be grateful to him.. after all it was him who gave lewis the 2008 title.
Khaled Hassan,
I guess you place no value on the integrity of the sport. Some of us do.
Mr. Saward,
I do. But if the sport had it some integrity left it should have never let that scam gp result stand. That’s my personal opinion anyway.
Khaled Hassan,
A fair point.