Ban on races for McLaren in 2009?
The McLaren-Mercedes team and its driver Lewis Hamilton were caught in the act of lying in the case of the British driver’s disqualification during the Australian Grand Prix. It is possible that McLaren may be banned from accessing the paddocks at certain races. All of this will be decided before the World Motor Sport Council […]
The McLaren-Mercedes team and its driver Lewis Hamilton were caught in the act of lying in the case of the British driver’s disqualification during the Australian Grand Prix.
It is possible that McLaren may be banned from accessing the paddocks at certain races. All of this will be decided before the World Motor Sport Council on April 29.
Bernie Ecclestone told the newspaper l’Express that lying to track officials was considered very serious. This is not the first time McLaren has discredited the sport since everyone remembers the spying scandal the team was involved in back in 2007.
« As a general rule, it’s never good to quickly return to court for something similar, » said the F1 commercial rights holder.
The FIA has unlimited power when it comes to sanctions: From total exclusion from the championship to very heavy financial penalties of around 100 million dollars, as imposed on McLaren in 2007.
Ecclestone admitted that the initial testimonies from the Woking team regarding Jarno Trulli’s penalty were considered as « fraud ».
« There are many possibilities for sanctions. If the team were to be banned from races, it would be a terrible thing. But it can happen. »
In 2005, BAR-Honda was ordered not to compete in two races for having found a trick regarding fuel usage.
