McLaren get suspended ban

British-based team escapes points deduction

Last updated: 30th April 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

McLaren get suspended ban

Whitmarsh arrives at the hearing

Related links

Teams

Also see

McLaren have escaped with a suspended three-race ban for misleading race stewards at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh faced the World Motor Sport Council in Paris on Wednesday to hear the charge brought against his team.

And his pro-active approach in the run-up to the hearing appears to have paid off as the WMSC could have handed down much heavier sanctions including a fine and/or points deductions.

However, the WMSC appears to have taken into account a number of mitigating circumstances after McLaren pleaded guilty on all five counts of breaching the International Sporting Code.

The charges were brought after Lewis Hamilton and Dave Ryan, since sacked as sporting director, were caught lying to the race stewards in Melbourne.

Evidence

Hamilton was promoted from fourth to third after the stewards handed Jarno Trulli a 25-second penalty for passing the Briton behind the safety car.

Hamilton and Ryan insisted at the time no order was relayed from the team demanding he allow Trulli to pass.

However, evidence in the form of pit-to-car transmissions and an interview Hamilton gave immediately after the race contradicted their story, resulting in the case being re-opened.

Hamilton and the team were disqualified from the race, and at the time there were fears McLaren would be kicked out of this season's championship given the gravity of the offence.

Suspension

Following their decision, the WMSC said in a statement: "Having regard to the open and honest way in which McLaren team principal, Mr Martin Whitmarsh, addressed the WMSC and the change in culture which he made clear has taken place in his organisation, the WMSC decided to suspend the application of the penalty it deems appropriate.

"That penalty is a suspension of the team from three races of the FIA Formula One World Championship.

"This will only be applied if further facts emerge regarding the case or if, in the next 12 months, there is a further breach by the team of article 151 c of the International Sporting Code."

A McLaren statement added: "We now look forward with enthusiasm to continuing our efforts to develop a closer and more co-operative relationship between ourselves and the FIA.

"We will also continue to focus our efforts on closing the performance gap that exists between our car and the fastest cars.

"Following Lewis' encouraging fourth place in Bahrain on Sunday, we are now optimistic we will be able to play an increasingly competitive part in what is fast developing into a very exciting season of Formula One motor racing."

Comments (28)

  • Page 1 of 2
  • 1
  • 2

Rob (liverpool fan) Sutton says...

I am a firm fan of Mclaren and Hamilton and I can only say that Mclaren are extremely lucky to get away with this blatant disregard for the rules, but on the other side I believe Hamilton has made F1 a far more enjoyable sport to watch and am happy he is still able to race for Mclaren and for Great Britain. You cant start to compare previous situations where teams have been penalised, as each situation is judged on its own as it should be. Mclaren lucky? Yes.

Posted 13:34 30th April 2009

Nick Carnell says...

Just who actually did overtake wrongly afterall?. Surely when all is said and done Trulli was still the only car to overtake during the safety car period!.

Posted 08:36 30th April 2009

Joey Taylor says...

They were talking about this last weekend that it looked like would be given a suspended sentance, and that is duely what has happened. There could be a million reasons why that sentance was passed, and alot of people are going to think it is to lenient, But its the judges discretion to what punishment is given for the crime committed, the one that they got overly fined for was cheating on a much grander scale. This time, it wasn't cheating as it was bringing the sport into dispute, so it would never of been a fine, or even docking of points it would of been race bans for Hamiltion, because has been noted before this same thing has happened before where th driver then ended up being banned for two races, To be honest, Hamilton is the World Champion now we all know Eclestone doesn't like this and we all know why he doesn't like this, we also know why alot of F1 fans dont like it, and its not a very politically correct reason. But I agree it was to lenient, not because it was a suspended sentance, but as a suspended sentance it should of been for at least 5 races, as that would cost him any chance of retaining the world championship, because having a cheat as a champ is not good for the sport, and before we get the whole MS was a cheat and a champ, MS has been one of the most dominant people in F1, I don't like him but he was that good

Posted 08:16 30th April 2009

Omar Brown says...

First they change the rules after Hamilton wins the championship, now they are trying everything to make him winning again a uphill battle. It was not enough that they took away his points after coming from last place, but now F1 is threatening to end his season over some petty foolishness like fabricating a pass, please, Massa drove into Hamilton last year on purpose because he was losing the Belgium GP and Hamilton was on his way to victory and they give Massa a slap on the wrist. Alonso and Co. have been going at Hamilton from day one because of his superior driving skills, Alonso been whinning about how Hamilton overtakes and every little petty thing he can find.

Posted 06:24 30th April 2009

Antonio Melo says...

Mclaren keep doing it ! Last year they spied on Ferrari and with that knowledge hamilton wins the Championship , This year we see whats happenning and no punishement . Mercedes is too powerfull !! Hamilton keeps taking advantage of all this but is never his fault .How INOCENT can one be in a team like that . what others things happen without our knowledge ? BAN MACLAREN AND ALLTHE STAFF INCLUDING DRIVERS:

Posted 22:43 29th April 2009

Simon Blackett says...

Of course they got let off, it would have been bad for the viewers and for the sport, just when things are getting really interesting, with not much between 4 teams rather than the usual 2. Viewing figures etc would have been effected. The FIA are not stupid, thats probably the only reason Mclaren got away with it this time. Unfortunatley its all about Money.

Posted 22:41 29th April 2009

Stephen Moore says...

Sensible punishment from the FIA, at last. Lewis as already lost all the points gained from the race in Melboure, one where he came from 18th to finish 4th. The team's actions in trying to gain one championship point deserved the penalty, but a suspended sentence from this hearing is the right decision. It is now for McLaren to prove they can "race fair" and negate the need for this sentence to be implemented. Perhaps now F1 can focus on what is fast looking to be one of the most competitive seasons for some time (and no Red cars in sight! Yay!)

Posted 22:34 29th April 2009

Andy Deans says...

I'm really pleased to see that there is a divided opinion on this matter. In response to Andrew Creesey's comment.. "they made a mistake"... I'm afraid not so.. they tried to imply that somebody else created the problem and, as such, deduct points off a rival... that's basically called cheating anywhere else. They are extremely fortunate not to be be given a harsher penalty, although, I too would regret seeing them given penalties to reduce the competition to something pathetic.

Posted 20:42 29th April 2009

Darren Harvey says...

At last, the Mclaren hating FIA have used some common sense!

Posted 20:39 29th April 2009

Maureen Morris says...

F1 has to be seen to be playing fair with the drivers. The drivers and the cars are what is most important. Lets get to motor racing not politicing. Penalising Lewis wouldn't not be fair.

Posted 20:30 29th April 2009

John Steven says...

A bit of perspective please from all the fools who think McLaren got off lightly. Remember a few years back at Monaco, when Michael S "parked" his car, and in doing so prevented Alonso from almost certainly taking poll position. We all knew he did it on purpose, the TV pics proved it, the telemetry proved it, and yet by sticking to their story all he got was sent to the back of the grid, after he had been found guilty by the stewards. In true Michael fashion he refused to apologise. Which scenario is worse? Trulli did go off the track and Hamilton was right to pass him. Their only mistake was talking about it on the radio. Next time, best do a Michael and shut up!!

Posted 17:50 29th April 2009

Marc S. says...

How can a team that last season got sentenced to a record penalty, for spying on another team and copying a opponents car, get away with a suspended ban? It seems that the threats by mercedes to consider an exit from f1 worked succesfully. in my eyes mclaren should be banned for 3 races. just as a reminder honda got banned for 2 races a couple of years ago for an illegal fuel tank. where is the difference. However, how does hamilton get away with lying to race officals? I think that money is the aspect the fiahad in mind when they sentenced mclaren.

Posted 17:43 29th April 2009

Marc Elliott says...

What the hell is happening to formula 1 ! Todays verdict by the FIA has given out a terrible message once again , basically cheat and lie and recieve a slap on the wrist ! How many more times are Mclaren going to be allowed to cheat and then find a scape goat in a memeber of there staff and to say sorry and then be allowed to carry on to contest a championship ! If this was cycling or athletics Mclaren would have been banned for life by now ! I wait for the next chapter in this soap opera called formula 1 to arrive , watch this space....

Posted 17:42 29th April 2009

Peter Menzel says...

It is a lenient punishment, but then I guess that makes up for the times wehn they were treated harshly to suit ferrari . . .

Posted 17:39 29th April 2009

Michael Hughes says...

A total joke you can now lie as much as u want considering this is the second attempt at cheating a punishment would have been in order a one or two race ban would have been apropriate this would have put them at a dissadvantage but one that they could recoup oh well life goas on

Posted 17:11 29th April 2009

Keah Nathan-norris says...

Lets all be serious, if mclaren were banned from this seasons championship it would be incredably unfair. and the fans would be missing out on watching competative motor racing from a very exciting and flamboyant team. to summarise, viewing ratings would also plumit if lewis was to be excluded for a season.

Posted 16:43 29th April 2009

Darren Jones says...

At last Hamilton and Mclaren have been dealt with softly. After so many mishaps by ferrari in the last so many years forcing drivers off the road and so on and getting let off all the time. About time mclaren had some luck for a change. Go on Lewis show them all what u can do for the rest of the season and thank your lucky stars you didnt have double diffuser or you would have had points docked but as it was not mclaren guess diffuser is ok surprised ferrari missed out.

Posted 16:39 29th April 2009

Kop and f1 Fan says...

Even as a Lewis & Hamilton Fan. I do agree it was alittle lenient, and i think a fine or Team Points Deduction would have been more fitting. Lets be honest if theyd have told the truth right now Lewis would be sat 4th in the Championship and not 7th. But you also have to look at what has changed since the incident: 1. Dave Ryan Sacked 2. Ron Dennis 'Moved On to Other roles' 3. Martin Whitmarsh Cooperation with the FIA. Lets face it Mclarens dealings with the FIA have hardly been great but at least 2 of the 3 points above goes a little way to showing the 'Culture Change' that Whitmarsh is trying to adapt within the Team. And lets face it Ferrari DO DEFINATELY get away with murder! Lets just hope Mclaren can get on with developing the car as quick as they can and get right behind Button and Challenge for the Title

Posted 16:05 29th April 2009

Mike R says...

Lewis cannot be blamed for this! He was told what to say by a Director of the company that pays his wages. This goes on daily within the business world. This is why the WMSC did not punish Hamilton. At least we can now get on with the season.

Posted 15:02 29th April 2009

John-paul Thompson says...

I think a fair result. Lewis was told what to say. He was dammed if he did and dammed if he didn't. The right person has already been punished with the loss of his job. Lewis can get on with racing and we the supporting public can see some great racing.

Posted 14:47 29th April 2009
  • Page 1 of 2
  • 1
  • 2

Add Comment*

Send us your views

Are you a Sky Sports subscriber?

*All fields required, your email address will be kept private