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.

Who got lost in France?

Five winners:

1. Felipe Massa (1st) Won a race that he didn’t really deserve to win, though that’s no criticism of Ferrari’s No.2, who could yet win the world title - especially if Kimi continues to have zero luck.

2. Nelson Piquet Jnr (7th) Wouhou, at last! Junior brings his Renault home in a points-paying position. Now we could see a totally different Piquet. Or not.

Herr von Mosley’s luck in again?

Popbitch, one of the most reliable sources in motorsport (hmmm), claims to have heard an F1 rumour that Max von Mosley is set to win his privacy case against the News of the World.

After Mosley’s shock win in his FIA vote of confidence, perhaps the worst is over for the German-speaking prossie-dabbler.

Ferrari world champ voices support for disgraced FIA boss

Kimi came out in support of Max von Mosley in Canada this week, making him pretty much the only F1 driver to publicly back the FIA pariah.

When asked about Mosley’s win in the FIA vote of confidence, the Finn said: “For me it doesn’t really matter. I think it is his personal life and really has nothing to do with F1.”

How the world viewed FIA chief’s shock reprieve

The key reaction to Herr von Mosley’s amazing win in Paris:

1. “I am just picking myself up off the floor. The decision is incredible, although I suppose we shouldn’t be surprised. Max’s audacity has always been absolutely breathtaking. Just when you think he is right on the ropes, he pings back and knocks the other guy out.“
Damon Hill, not happy with the result. He also called it a “tragedy”

2. “I had a £50 bet on this and I have won.”
Sir Jackie Stewart, branded a “certified halfwit” by Mosley earlier this week, lives up to Scottish stereotypes

Make your aero devices more stable, F1 teams told

The FIA has forced F1 teams to make their “bridge wings” – aero devices that span the front wing, as shown in the above pic of McLaren’s nose - more stable, as of this weekend’s Canadian GP. Teams will have to fit a supporting stay to ensure that the bridge wing doesn’t move or flex at high speeds.

Currently, McLaren, Toro Rosso, Toyota, Renault, Red Bull, and Williams all have cars fitted with such bridge wings; only Renault runs with a central stay.

Against the odds, Mosley survives!!!

BREAKING NEWS…

Paris, France: Herr Max von Mosley has WON his FIA vote of confidence, and with a clear majority. There were 103 votes for Mosley, 55 against, with seven abstentions and four null papers.

How did that happen!? We didn’t see it coming. This must rank as one of the greatest escape acts in the history of sport. More news and reaction as we get it.

Let’s not pretend otherwise: Mosley will be out of a job today

Today in Paris, Herr von Mosley’s fate as FIA boss will be sealed in a simple vote of confidence by secret ballot. As we write, the extraordinary meeting is in progress.

A poll in the Guardian of 100 of the member clubs showed 37 percent wanting Mosley to resign, 25 percent for him and 29 percent refusing to comment. The remainder were undecided or ineligible.

Wee Bernie offers Von Mosley outside

Don’t mess with Wee Bernie Ecclestone. He may be smaller than your average garden gnome, but as many people have found out to their cost, he is not a man to make an enemy of. Having stuck by Herr Max von Mosley for much of Nazi Orgygate, it now seems that Bernie has finally lost patience with the FIA boss.

Ecclestone told The Times (sister paper to the News of the World, which broke the Nazi Orgy story) that he hoped the recent letter from Mosley to FIA member clubs, which was implicitly critical of Ecclestone (although it did not name him), was not an all-out declaration of war. Wee Bernie said:

Prince Albert and Max Mosley in the same story - it’s our lucky day!

(We mean Prince Albert of Monaco, not the cock ring. Just to clarify.)

Anyway, according to the Daily Mail, Herr Max von Mosley will be present at the race but Monaco’s royal family, the Grimaldis, have made it clear that he is not welcome and that they are “unwilling even to shake hands with him”.

The FIA have reacted to this by giving the role of the FIA’s official representative to deputy president Marco Piccinini, who will even attend the fancy Monaco gala dinner in Mosley’s place. Max, if we were you, we’d stay at home and watch the race on TV.