McLaren vs Renault
This titanic duel between the two top flight teams isn’t going to be fought out on the track. In true Stepneygate style, the battling will be done by the lawyers. McLaren accused Renault of having obtained, disseminated and used confidential team information to the benefit of the French team. The hearing planned to go ahead on Thursday this week was first preceded by news that McLaren had been forced to clarify their claims against Renault. Apparently, it was ‘only’ 13 members of Renault’s personnel that had submitted witness statements and not 18 (the point being?). There also seems to have been some confusion has to how many ‘media devices’ had had the information copied to them etc. Hugely significant as this clarification seems to have been portrayed by the media, it really does seem inconsequential. Worryingly for Ron Dennis, the handbags are drawn as this week, the Flav at Renault was quoted as saying that he would sue McLaren for defamation if McLaren’s claim is thrown out by the FIA.
Two things are clear though: 1. F1 lawyers have had all their Christmases for the next ten years rolled in to one and served early; and 2. The single common thread in all the scandals that have rocked F1 this year, sits quietly waiting in the wings for the storms to pass and worm his way towards the next title challenge.
Hamilton and Brawn
The Brits are back! Lewis Hamilton returned to testing after the hiatus following the end of the Championship to lead the times at Jerez during the last test before the New Year. Ross Brawn, Honda’s new head-honcho and former technical chief for Ferrari during the Schumacher glory years, returned to the F1 circus with his latest project. “Finding your way back from the brink – 101″ Tasked with the job of restoring Honda to its, some will remember, rightful place at the front of the grid, he warned of tough times ahead. My projection? Honda will be on the podium before the end of the coming season and mix it with the big boys for race wins in 2009.
McLaren and Alonso – the madness is official
Finally, reports from Spanish media sources suggest that McLaren may be reconsidering their strategy of sacking Fernando Alonso a few weeks ago and offer him that 1 year contract he so desperately wants as he continues to harbour misguided delusions of his chances at vying for a seat in a Ferrari for 2009. Maybe Ron Dennis WILL take him on. And maybe, then, the FIA WILL disqualify McLaren from running next year too.
On the basis of the Spaniard’s conduct this year and the Woking squad’s inability to focus on being a racing team, they won’t have had time to design and build their hospitality suites, much less a competitive car. It would be a shame for Ron Dennis, but just deserts for Fernando Alonso.
For free information on next year’s Spanish F1 Grand Prix, log on to the Barcelona F1 [http://www.barcelona-f1.co.uk] website