F1 - The Other Spying Scandal

[SirFozzie]

... wow. Now there's a fine for you. Roughly $100 million and all their constructors points (but not the individual driver's points)... and more could be coming.

http://sport.guardian.co.uk/print/0,,330739366-124364,00.html

McLaren fined $100m in spying row

Staff and agencies
Thursday September 13, 2007

Guardian Unlimited
Lewis Hamilton's Formula One world title dream is still alive, even though McLaren were severely punished by the World Motor Sport Council today.

Following the emergence of fresh evidence in the spy scandal that has dogged the team, McLaren have lost all their constructors points for this season and been hit with a record fine of $100m (£49.2m).

Hamilton and his teammate, reigning world champion Fernando Alonso, are clear to continue the race for the individual title. The Spaniard is just three points behind Hamilton in in the drivers' championship with four grand prix remaining.

Following a 10-hour meeting at the FIA headquarters in Paris, a statement read: "The WMSC have stripped Vodafone McLaren Mercedes of all constructor points in the 2007 FIA Formula One world championship and the team can score no points for the remainder of the season. "Furthermore, the team will pay a fine equal to $100m, less the FOM (Formula One Management) income lost as a result of the points deduction.

"However, due to the exceptional circumstances in which the FIA gave the team's drivers an immunity in return for providing evidence, there is no penalty in regard to drivers' points.

"The WMSC will receive a full technical report on the 2008 McLaren car and will take a decision at the December 2007 meeting after what sanction, if any, will be imposed on the team for the 2008 season."

[miami_fan]

Everybody doing it!

[nilodor]

The 100 millions isn't brutal because they can deduct the FOM money that they would normally get, which is in the neighbourhood 100 million (their split of the tv rights), so they do lose alot of money but it could have been worse, get fined 100 million and lose the tv money.

[Neon_Chaos]

no matter how i see it.... $100 mil is $100 mil.

[korme]

Formula One just kissed McLaren deeply on the lips

[nilodor]

no matter how i see it.... $100 mil is $100 mil.

What I'm getting at is its 100 mil and not 200+ million it could have been if they didn't get the FOM credit. And I would imagine that they would budget for 2nd or 3rd in the constructors so they were probably only expecting to get 25 to 50 million out of it so while yes it is a tonne of money, it's not as bad as it could be.

[Maple Leafs]

This wouldn't have even been a story if it had been some team other than McLaren doing it. Are you happy now, haters? ARE YOU?

[Deattribution]

This wouldn't have even been a story if it had been some team other than McLaren doing it. Are you happy now, haters? ARE YOU?

I think McLaren should lose their franchise.

[Icy]

I think McLaren should lose their franchise.

Maybe he will, Mercedes, who provides the engines, is pretty pissed at the problems between both McLaren drivers and how it has been handled by the team, now add the spying scandal and who knows...

[JonInMiddleGA]

I think McLaren should lose their franchise.

Figures you would say that. But where were you when Ferrari was doing it for all these years? What's good for the goose I say.

[Maple Leafs]

I think McLaren should lose their franchise.
There people on the message board I made up in my own head who think McLaren should face the death penalty.

[spleen1015]

With F1 being rigged, McLaren will still win the constructor's points.

[MikeVic]

So, let's compare the punishment for the Pats and McLaren! See if Goddell is really that tough!