More fuel for the anti-McLaren conspiracy theorists

Part of Kimi Raikkonen’s exhaust fell off during the French GP, but should he have been allowed to drive round with it hanging off in the first place? It could have flown off in any direction. Worst case scenario: it hits another driver, or a steward, or a spectator.

Okay, the chances of that happening are very slim indeed, but why do we get the nagging feeling that had it been a McLaren, then different action may have been taken? Hmm… (strokes beard pensively)

Charlie Whiting should have at least ordered a black-and-orange flag, forcing Kimi into the pits; some might say the Ferrari driver deserved to see a full black flag.

We’re not the only ones who think Kimi got away with it in France. In his latest column for the RBS sport website, Sir Jackie Stewart writes:

“A lot of people – and not McLaren personnel – are saying that the FIA are more interested in finding faults at McLaren than at other teams. For example, in the French race, Kimi Raikonnen’s exhaust system broke and part of it was visibly hanging off the car. Why wasn’t he called into the pits to have the loose piece removed? … Some people will say that if it had happened with a McLaren, the team would have been fined.”

Stewart clearly suggests that the FIA is not treating the top two teams in F1 equally. We tend to agree.

Both McLaren drivers were penalised in France - Lewis Hamilton retrospectively, and Heikki Kovalainen in qualifying. You can make a case that both penalties were reasonable, but we have also seem similar infringements go unpunished.

Do you think the FIA favours Ferrari and makes an example of McLaren? Or is this sour grapes from McLaren fans? Let us know your thoughts…