07-Feb-08: McLaren Four Called to Face Italian Questioning
Today is the 7th February 2008, and this is F1 Minute.
Ron Dennis, Mike Coughlan, Paddy Lowe and Martin Whitmarsh have all been called to appear before the Italian magistrate who is investigating the espionage affair from last year on behalf of Ferrari. McLaren have simply confirmed that their lawyers “received some papers from the Modena authorities which are currently being reviewed.” Ron Dennis is believed to be due at the meeting on the 18th February.
Pat Symonds has been speaking to Autosport magazine about the new car, and it’s chances. He said that last year’s car faced two separate issues – differences with data from the wind tunnel and the track, and the change from Michelin to Bridgestones. He believes that they’ve got those sorted now, and this year Renault will be back challenging for wins.
They all said their piece yesterday, and now the machinery to help them achieve their goals has been released. The Force India car for 2008 was unveiled in Mumbai today. The most significant things to gain from the launch are the colours, a white and gold livery, plus the prominent Kingfisher branding, Vijay Mallya’s own company.
That’s all for today, please join me tomorrow for another F1 Minute.
brendan stallard on Fri, 8th Feb 2008 00:48
Christine,
Whoah: going to Italy to answer any kind of charge can be a dangerous business. The Italians have a nasty habit of bunging you in jail and leaving you while they prepare their case papers: which can take years.
For a while after Senna’s death: while the Italians were still trying to hang it on Williams: FW would not attend the races in case they locked him up.
RD needs to be a bit careful methinks, I sure wouldn’t go under these circumstances without a cast iron guarantee its just a witness summons.
Ferrari are very powerful in that neck of the woods: and we can all guess what they are saying to the judges in private.
brendan