((HT: CP))
Pat Symonds, the director of engineering for Renault's Formula One team, has reportedly been offered immunity by FIA if he comes forward with everything he knows about the alleged "crashgate" affair.
Renault ((pictured, thanks Vladmir Rys/Bongarts/Getty)) have been summoned before the World Motor Sport Council next week to answer allegations that they asked Nelson Piquet Jr. to crash deliberately in order to give teammate Fernando Alonso a chance to win the race.
According to Autosport, the decision to give Symonds amnesty against any punishment came after interviews conducted by FIA during the Belgian Grand Prix weekend. According to the stewards' report, Symonds confirms that there was a meeting between himself, Renault team boss Flavio Briatore and driver Nelson Piquet Jr. on the morning of the Singapore Grand Prix.
According to the report, Symonds accepted that he had discussed the possibility of a deliberate crash at the 2008 race, but indicated that the suggestion was made by Piquet Jr. and not himself. Symonds refused to answer any questions about specific allegations, suggesting to the stewards that he might have "further information" which may prove useful.
The stewards report indicates that Symonds was called back a day after the initial interview last month and given a chance to answer specific questions one more time, which he refused.
Piquet Jr. has already been granted immunity from penalty for his cooperation and if Symonds were to accept the FIA's reported offer, it would leave only team boss Flavio Briatore holding the bag.
Here's the aftermath of the Piquet wreck from last year's Singapore GP
No comments:
Post a Comment