Things not going to well in the courts for the house of Bernie... From motorsports: Feb.20 (GMM) A London court verdict on Thursday was both good and bad news for F1's embattled chief executive Bernie Ecclestone. Constantin Medien's $140 million damages claim was dismissed by the judge, but Justice Guy Newey announced in his verdict that 83-year-old Briton Ecclestone had been "corrupt". It is a major blow to Ecclestone, who later this year will face jail, and certainly the end of his long reign over the sport, if found similarly guilty of paying a bribe by German prosecutors during a criminal trial. "The payments were a bribe," Thursday's verdict read, adding that Ecclestone's agreement with jailed former F1 banker Gerhard Gribkowsky was "corrupt". However, Justice Newey dismissed Constantin's claim, asserting the German company and former F1 shareholder was "no part of Mr Ecclestone's purpose" in having paid the bribe. "No loss to Constantin has been shown to have been caused by the corrupt arrangement with Dr Gribkowsky," he said. "That fact is fatal to the claim." But the judge dealt further blows to Ecclestone by saying the 83-year-old was not a "reliable or truthful witness". Ecclestone's lawyers, however, saw the bright side of the verdict, saying the judge had "completely exonerated" the defendants.
Another good day for Mercedes powered cars at Bahrain. Renault makes some gains, but Caterham outperforms Red Bull not only in laps completed, but Kobayashi put in a better lap time than Seb. I may become a Caterham fan at this rate. Charts at the link. Magnussen leads day two in Bahrain as lap times fall - F1 Fanatic
Lifted from an AutoSport article, this is the quote that puts all that it into perspective for me. The damages claim failed because the judge decided it wasn't about devaluing, which was the focus of the claim, but about getting the shares into the hands of someone Bernie liked. However, another judge not only agrees that the deal was corrupt, he labels Bernie as not reliable or truthful and also confirms the bribe.
Another good day for Mercedes powered cars, and another problem filled day for Renaults. The Ferraris are also having trouble, but not as many as the Renaults. In fact team Ferrari is putting in a lot of laps, so their reliability is very good. It's the other Ferrari teams that are having difficulties. So far it looks like it's going to be a season dominated by Mercedes and McLaren, with a mad scrabble for the midfield. Caterham is still putting in more laps than Red Bull by nearly a 4-1 margin, but at least they lapped slower this time. This is going to be a terrible season for Red Bull if this keeps up. Chart with lap times at the link. Hamilton quickest as Red Bull stop early on day three - F1 Fanatic
Horner's theory about why Renault is struggling relative to the other engine manufacturers. Energy recovery contributing to Renault F1 test issues, says Horner (autosport.com)
You know what though, now Bernie (may he be short time) is working on convincing the teams to approve double points for the last 3 races. That'd be enough for a late developing team like, say Red Bull, to snatch the championship from teams that did the job right before the season started. Just saying'.
Some interesting insights in all these videos. According to the third, the nose isn't the only asymmetrical part of the Lotus. Also surprised to learn that apparently some are using air-to-air intercoolers, some air-to-water. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aflurrK5LcI]Ferrari's setback - YouTube[/ame] [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXV1G--pK4U]Bahrain F1 tests - Williams looking good - YouTube[/ame] [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-98-Q7NaM8]F1 Lotus E22-Renault detailed by Craig Scarborough - YouTube[/ame]
Patrick Depailler was one of the best in my book though the standing don't show it. He went way, way too early.