Following suggestions by a furious Alonso that moves were made to disadvantage him during the latter stages of qualifying in China – when he was more than half a second adrift of Hamilton – a formal request from the Head of the Spanish Federation of Motoring, Carlos Garcia, has led to the
FIA taking this unprecedented step, to widespread criticism from key figures within the sport who claim the governing body is overstepping its remit and setting a dangerous precedent.
“This is not a police state,” former triple world champion Sir
Jackie Stewart told international news agency
Reuters, the Scot still at odds with FIA President
Max Mosley who last month accused him of being ‘a certified halfwit’. “Are we to be told by Big Brother how those people have to function? I don’t think it is the governing body’s job to interfere with private enterprise and how somebody runs their company. That is not correct. I think the governing body has to be very careful how it goes about its business. The manner in which many elements have been dealt with this year I don’t think is appropriate. I think Max Mosley has probably done a very good job for some 16 years, but maybe it’s time for a change.”
In a further twist, it has now emerged Garcia is to be investigated by the FIA over comments he allegedly made to Spanish newspaper
El Publico suggesting English people are racist, an accusation he fervently denies. The plot thickens…
NEWS FROM THE TEAMS:
McLaren – Fernando Alonso (#1), Lewis Hamilton (#2):
McLaren’s duo may be heading into the final round of the 2007 World Championship in the driving seats as far as the drivers’ crown is concerned, but both remain well aware nothing will be over until the chequered flag falls on Sunday afternoon.
