21-Jan-08: Stepney Says He’s Not To Blame For Espionage
This is F1 Minute for the 21st January 2008.
Nigel Stepney has revealed in an interview with Sky Sports, that he does not feel to blame for the espionage affair. He says although he did supply the information to McLaren, it was used to a much higher extent than he’d anticipated. Stepney also commented that there is still a lot that has been left unsaid on the subject.
Williams rolled out their new car, the FW30 at a very foggy Valencia circuit today. With no official launch taking place, this is the first time we’ve laid eyes on the car. Nico Hulkunberg managed to complete just 20 laps, before heading back to the garage due to the weather conditions. Fernando Alonso was also at Valencia, taking to the track in the new Renault R28 around lunchtime. He completed 39 laps, and was comfortably faster than Hulkenburg. Renault will be running the car at Valencia this week, before the official launch takes place at the end of the month.
And finally, Alex Wurz has spoken about his decision to join Honda, saying he feels he wouldn’t have the energy to complete a full season of racing but that’s just a small part of what a driver does and the development of the car is just as fulfilling.
That’s all for today, please join me tomorrow for another F1 Minute.
sebastian on Mon, 21st Jan 2008 20:27
If Stepney is not to blame for the “spy Gate” I really don’t know who to blame.
It’s simple. He stole data from Ferrari and gave it to another team, Mclaren.
brendan stallard on Mon, 21st Jan 2008 20:51
That is absolutely extraordinary, he admits he did it, and then tries to blame the users for using it!
Wild.
Maybe Ferrari have got an excuse to be as miffed as they were last season. Maybe they are the rightful constructors championship.
brendan
Vittorio84 on Mon, 21st Jan 2008 21:06
That’s really incredible to hear this from Stepney… simply no comment
Anyway, the most important news for today is that Renault is finally working on the new car and this will help Fernando really a lot, instead of testing the R27.
sebastian on Mon, 21st Jan 2008 21:15
I hope Renault does have a good season. This will make the season more interesting.
BMW is really looking good also in my opinion, but I still see Ferrari and Mclaren fight for the title
Christine on Mon, 21st Jan 2008 21:33
What I don’t understand from Stepney is where he says that he didn’t intend the information to be used by whoever he gave it to - so what exactly was he bringing it for?
I think the Renault/Alonso team will be back to fighting form, if not at first, at least towards the end of the season. I don’t know if they’ll be able to steal the championship from Ferrari’s grasp, but I’m sure they’ll be on the up this year.
me on Mon, 21st Jan 2008 22:47
i bet he had fun in that old heap o’junk. compared to the ‘07 macca, the difference must’ve been like night and day.
marc on Tue, 22nd Jan 2008 02:45
Hey, come on, how’s about a little sympathey for Stepney?
I mean really, when I left me job at McDonalds looking for greener pastures I never in a milion years thought Burger King would have used the recipe for McDonald’s super-Secret Sauce I took with me!
Now I jobless and can’t afford to buy what Stepney is selling.
Which come to think of it, ain’t such a bad thing!