F1 Fines

[vjy chin]

Did anyone read about the Formula 1 team Mclaren's fines for cheating? What do you think about that. It looks like Alonso also has been cheating this season.

[Christophe Verré]

I didn't read the details about the affair, but I'm glad that pilots don't lose their points.

[M Easter]

It seems pretty crazy to me...

An employee for Ferrari gives MacLaren top-secret Ferrari documents. Before MacLaren can manifest any exploitations in their car, someone from within MacLaren tells F1.

So then F1 ultimately strips MacLaren of all constructor points and fines them -- wait for it -- $100 million. Ferrari receives no penalty.

Then, because it is an excellent contest, F1 allows the MacLaren drivers to compete in the driver's championship. (Because the F1 top brass know that they would be killed if they messed with that.)

Unless I have some facts wrong (and I might), it seems pretty ridiculous to me.

On the Speed channel (in the US), the commentators said that Ferrari was asked how they feel about being vaulted into the lead now that MacLaren was finished. Also BMW-Sauber was asked about being 2nd.

The Ferrari spokesperson said they were delighted and earned it.

The BMW-Sauber rep said it was sad and that they wanted no part of it.

The whole thing stinks.