David Coulthard: « Piquet doit être punis »

The Piquet Jr. Crashgate affair (Renault) during the 2008 Singapore GP is indeed not over. Former Red Bull driver, David Coulthard, is the latest to give his opinion on the matter.

Despite the verdict rendered by the Federation’s tribunal, the case is still making waves. The Viry-Chatillion team received a suspended two-year sanction. As for the former team boss, Flavio Briatore, he has been banned for life from the FIA world. Engineering director Pat Symonds was also sanctioned by the Federation for a duration of five years.

However, Nelson Piquet Jr, the driver who ‘intentionally’ crashed into the wall during the Singapore GP in 2008, got away after the FIA granted him immunity for exposing the cheating. And although the Brazilian believes he was punished more than others—through his reputation and by his dismissal—David Coulthard believes that the FIA should have banned him from driving in the future in these disciplines.

« I think the FIA should have punished Piquet much more severely. He was just as guilty as the others. » says the former F1 driver.

« He was really bad, bad for F1, bad for the fans. These revelations have shaken many, myself included. I don’t know how someone can manage to crash a F1 car. Throughout my career, I tried to avoid an accident! » continues David Coulthard.

« I would be surprised if he ever gets a Formula 1 seat again. » concluded the Scot, who is currently a commentator on the BBC in the UK.