[frithguild]

ECCLESTONE: DECISION DOWN TO TEAMS

By Ian Parkes, Press Association Sport

* * *
Ecclestone was naturally unable to comment on the specific incident [Masa letting the faster Alonso by] as he will be sitting on any WMSC meeting should the case be heard.

However, the 78-year-old was able to offer his thoughts on the proposal, as mentioned by former driver David Coulthard after the race, that it is time for the rule to be scrapped.

“I must confess I would agree with anyone who thinks that,” said Ecclestone.

“We make people call it a team, we say it’s got be a team.

“All the cars have to be exactly the same, the drivers wear the same overalls, so everybody has to look like a team - a team of people that are racing.

“I believe what people do when they are inside the team, and how they run their team is up to them. That’s my opinion.”

Given his power, Ecclestone is obviously in a position to suggest the possibility of the regulation being written out of the rule book.

“I don’t know, we’ll have to see. It’s something that needs to be discussed,” added Ecclestone.

“As far as I’m concerned a team is a team, and they should run it whichever way they want to run it.

“Nobody should interfere as to how they run their team.

http://www.sportinglife.com/formula1/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=formula1/10/07/26/AUTO_German_Nightlead.html

[God luvs America]

does eccelstone have any say here?? isn’t it up to the FIA???

anyone see the end of the IRL race in edmonton yesterday?? that was a whopper...

[Elle Bee]

A practical rule change would eliminate the hypocrisy of everyone pretending they don't have 'team rules'

And we could bring Flav back:

Briatore was forced to resign as team principal of Renault due to a race fixing scandal.[16] The controversy centered around an early crash involving Renault driver Nelson Piquet, Jr.'s car during the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix of 28 September 2008. At the time, Piquet Jr. described the crash as a simple mistake, however, shortly after his acrimonious departure from Renault and criticism of Briatore nearly a year later in August 2009, allegations surfaced that Piquet Jr. had deliberately crashed to help Renault team mate Fernando Alonso, who went on to win the race. After a Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) investigation, on 4 September 2009 Renault were charged with conspiracy and race fixing, and were due to face the FIA World Motor Sport Council in Paris on 21 September 2009. In return for immunity from punishment, Piquet Jr. had reportedly stated to the FIA that he had been asked to crash by Briatore and Renault chief engineer Pat Symonds. On 11 September, following leaks of Piquet Jr.'s evidence, Renault and Briatore stated they would take legal action against Piquet, Jr. for making false allegations, however, five days later, Renault announced they would not contest the charges, and that Briatore and Symonds had left the team.The day after the Renault announcement, Renault confirmed Briatore had resigned from the team, while Briatore himself stated of his departure that "I was just trying to save the team", "It's my duty. That's the reason I've finished."

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[Lockbox]

ECCLESTONE: DECISION DOWN TO TEAMS

Sounds like the Ferrari card has been played!

[Chode]

i have no problem with scrapping the rule, but while it's in effect, pay up if you break it...