The McLaren Garage saga

Several people have asked about the strange situation regarding the McLaren garage at Bahrain following reports that the Woking-based team will no longer be occupying No.5 as it did at Melbourne and Sepang, but has been pushed back to the bottom of the pitlane next to Force India.

It just so happens that I asked Bernie about this the other day and it turns out that he received a letter from Max(pre-scandal) in which the FIA president claimed that, due to complaints from rival teams, it would be best to return McLaren to the bottom of the 'lane as required by their last place finish in the 2007 constructors' championship.

So it seems Bernie's compromise arrangement - about which I had heard no complaints it must be said - has been swept away and for the rest of season. McLaren's "Brand Centre"(aka Terminal 6) will henceforth be squeezed in at the European tracks and may have to be out of line with the team garage at some places. All very humiliating I would imagine.

At McLaren, by the way, they say, a team or teams did complain but they did so only after they were "asked to".

Just so you get it from the horse's mouth so to speak, here is what Bernie said about this a couple of days ago.

"For years I always lay everything out in the pits and the paddock - it's nothing to do with the FIA. For 30 years there's always been a joke that if we don't have enough garages, they will have to be on the grass. It is always 'take it easy, or you are going to be on the grass next year.' So we always had the principle that whoever won the championship would go at one end of the pitlane.

"I said 'well we've got a bloody great motorhome which we are going to have a job to fit in different places - because it takes a lot of room. So let's do a bit of a compromise and put McLaren four or five - something like that.' And Ron said 'where are we going to be?' And I said that's what we'll do.

"Then I had a letter from Max the other day explaining - he said Bernie I have had a lot of complaints from people saying that you sort of arbitrarily put Ron there which is something you've never done before. You've always been very strict no matter who the team is and suddenly, out of the blue, you do this and the teams are complaining. So I think you ought to follow what you've been doing for 30 years and put them where they should be which is at the end of the pit lane."

So there you have it. Me thinks there is a lot more golf in this hole....I'll keep you posted.

Comments

[D]

^
Thanks for this one, Ed. Much appreciated.

Demonstrates why your blog is so highly valued by us.

D.

[Johnny P-)]

What's humiliating, Ed? To be put back where Team McLaren ought to be? That's at least fairness, impartiality. They've been standing in some others place, isn't it?

McLaren's opinion is not to be taken into account, as they part in this case.

I rather think there are a lot more holes in this golf course. Keep us posted, but do not stamp us, please Ed ;)

How better would all be and look if every team was treated just equally regarding the F1 rules in hand. But I don't expect to happen in a hundred years.

Regarding MM, it looks a lot of news and facts are yet to be discovered. He has not yet recognized the story, but hasn't denied it too, while revealing there is one or two groups pursuing his own public immolation.

[Frank]

So if I understand you correctly, dom Max said to sub Bernie "She needs more of ze punishment !"

[ramplano]

There's nothing more to it. Either Mclaren was guilty of something( let's not forget its groveling appology) or they are under a witch hunt. if you've been unfairly punished you always have the right to appeal
Either way they have to respect the other teams, regardless how big is your motorhome

[teamwork-toronto-ON]

oh, definitely it's more behind those words. how stupid do they think that we are?

We know WHO max mosley is, and how he plays games. Ron knows it too.

But as we know, justice will be done, in many ways.

max, your sentence is out.

[Anon (original)]

I think it's only fair. It comes with the punishment. And aren't garages at the end of the pitlane smaller, too?

[James of Silverstone]

Its not like they will be there for long and is it such a big problem except for Martin Brundle and other Tv crews getting on in years having to run from one end of the padock to the other for the first and second on the grid and the team to carry all the pit gear. Well someone better get the whip out. The ends did swap some years ago from memory.

[IDR]

Thanks for this, Ed.

I didn’t found any article talking about a team complaining because the McLaren position in boxes.

Anyhow, it seems to me that Max S&Mosley loves to be very strict, after knowing his personal preferences for leisure...

[javiervivaespania]

I think that is what they deserve after what they did to our Champion. It is only fair.

[Richard Williams]

Yes, it is only fair. It comez viz ze punishment!

[Dale]

What a state F1 is in when a 'pervert' can continue his gripe against Mclaren and Ron Denis (we all know he is doing it) and gets away with it.
Cannot the FIA and Bernie see that it is bad for F1 allowing the 'pervert' President to rule like this?
Well done the Times for reporting this as is - don't let up the 'pervert has to go.

[ALLMAN]

McLaren is a shame to the sport, they were lucky of not being thrown out of F1 and they not deserve any privilege.

[Stephen]

Overall, I think Mosely has done a good job in improving safety in F1, but he appears to have a vendetta against McLaren and something bordering on a hatred of Ron Dennis going back several years which I simply do not understand.

Mosely advocates punishing teams which "bring the sport into disrepute" and has done so in the past. His recent actions do far more to damage the credibility of the sport than anything any team has done in recent years, shown by the fact that he is apparently not welcome in Bahrain this weekend. He should have the decency to resign.

[michael]

Max is a poor s..., isn't he!? I do feel sympathy for a guy who's father through his actions and believes has pretty much laid out his son's future social standing and acceptance in society. Just imagine your first name being Adolf since it was very shique back then!? Anywho, Max as FIA pres. does deserve respect - period. His private life is just that - private. But then again, he was asking for it understandably. His pis...g contest with McLaren on behalf of Ferrari hanging out the moral compass and humiliating not just Jackie and Ron but especially the FIA with his words and actions clearly shows the difference between a government organisation and that of a privately operated patronage business. No class, no moral, zero ethics. We the people, normal fans are and have been put off by those his actions and what's far worse is the frustrating helplessness - at least I feel so - by realizing the fact that there is not one objective institution with a higher moral and understanding of business ethics to intervene and say enough is enough we need an impeccably run operation with acceptable standards and therefore the FIA-System must be changed.

[Kev .A]

He had it coming though didn't he.He was getting a bit too big for his jack boots ya.Wasn't it him (FIA)behind the legal action against Martin Brundle through The Times ? basically for speaking the truth as he saw it.Lets face it a lot of other people saw it that way also.Basically a vendetta against Maclaren / Ron Dennis / Lewis Hamilton ? The motto is if your'e going to take on big newspapers in this country just make sure your'e squeeky clean .Your'e not quite as clever as I thought you were Max !

[Andrew]

Probably need to make room for Max's dungeon.

[Jonah]

It clearly demonstrates how Mosley runs the FIA to in order to satisfy his own predilections for inflicting pain and humiliation, pretty ironic given that we now know that he engages in pretty much the same thing in his private life too. In recent years Edouard Michelin, Jackie Stewart and Ron Dennis have all been on the receiving end of tongue-lashings from a man who thought himself untouchable, who believed his control of F1 press accreditation gave him licence to respond to criticism in the most reprehensible and caustic manner. Mosley had brought the sport into disrepute on many occasions prior to this scandal, I hope he goes, willingly or otherwise, and that the FIA cleans up its act so that the sport doesn't find itself in a few years time cowering under another tyrant.

BTW Ed, glad to see you've still got your press pass for the moment, though I suspect it is something Mosley will be looking into...

[Rod]

The whole point is that this further reinforces that 2007 was indeed a Max-Ron witchhunt. The "grovelling apology" referred to by another poster was because Max put a gun to their corporate head and told them if they didn't apologize they were out for 2008. And no, there is in fact no appeal. The FIA have created an Emperor and it is Max. And he hath no "clothes" - in both senses of the word.

[jordi]

There is an important piece of information missing.

What was exactly Bernie's compromise arrangement?

According cultural background and influences, the meaning and perception of the word "compromise" may be different: In the UK, Ireland and Commonwealth countries the word "compromise" has a positive meaning (as a consent, an agreement where both parties win something);
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compromise

As far as I can see, by putting Mclaren 5th there was only one team benefeting from that, Mclaren.

So, how can anyone call it compromise?

[jordi]

I have a small motorhome for sale.

[Tom Ware]

Do you think Max fantasised whipping and flogging Bernie shouting (in German of course):

Bernie, you've been a very naughty boy letting Big Ron go to 5th position?!

Hopefully he would have stopped before any further wounds required dressing, before putting the kettle to settle down for a nice cup of Tea...

[Jeremy]

I suppose Ron was lucky not to get 50 lashes as well as relocation! It amuses me to see that the only overt accreditation or authority displaed by the FIA is an accreditation from the IOC, itself much crticised for it's fascist past leadership! is this a wider conspiracy!

[Alf K]

What we have to remember here is Max is a great friend with Luca (FERARRI owner) so what's the bettings it's this greaseball that wants as much as an advantage over Mclaren as he get with Ferrari and Mclaren are so close.
Same with the *Max in Sex orgy* I'd guess this is so Max can leave (Ferrari supporter) and have Jean Todt step in his shoes.
Sure Jean, You won't be partial to Ferrari just like Max eh?
Please give all us F1 fans a break, We know their tactics inside out...FIAerrari must win at all costs!

[Christopher Taylor]

Well i think this matter should go to the top and be resolved properly so that every one could be on the better side of the GRASS.

[nick]

Did Ferrari get moved down the pitlane in 1998 after Schumacher had all of his points from the 1997 season deducted for driving into Villeneuve at Jerez?

[D]

^

The really intriguing aspect to the story is this bit:

/ At McLaren, by the way, they say, a team or teams did complain but they did so only after they were "asked to".\

Who asked whom to complain? And why?

I wonder if that was done on the Friday morning...

[otro javier]

Well. It is as clear as water that Mr. Mosley is only a dreadful sort of person, who deserves nothing but contempt. Well.

And know, what about the Ed’s post subject?. What’s the habit or rule for the garages assignment?. Is there any rule or is it simply arbitrary?. Where in the pit lane is supposed that should be the last classified team’s garage?. Because that’s the matter, not Mr. Mosley’s weird , or even apparently sick, preferences for leisure.

[A.B.]

Humiliating ?!

What about Super Aguri, Toro Rosso and Force India? Isn't it humiliating for them as well ?

Wake up. Your bias for Mclaren is sickening to put it mildly.

You are probably the most biased journo I've read about. Yuck!

[Laura]

Tom Rubython,Martin Brundle,Edouard Michelin, Jackie Stewart, Ron Dennis, (the list is a long one) any of these individuals have good reason to discredit Max Mosley and use a company to spy on him and uncover any bizarre sexual predilections and embarrass him as he did them. But luckily none of them would dream of doing so.

All of us working in F1 know that the FIA is run as a dictatorship and to have someone as its helm who is so biased against McLaren is staggering. As previous dictators were defeated we must not let this man impose his opinions on others. Now we have good reason to demand he be booted into touch. He has brought the sport into disrepute - an accusation he likes use against others for 'crimes' far less serious than being beaten by five prostitutes. He will never be taken seriously again and he will be laughed out of the paddock should he dare show his face again.

[adam]

I count five separate articles in the Timesonline mentioning the words Nazi and Mosley.Most papers have one. Normally it's the Spanish Alonso poster boys posters that say Ed should be ashamed of himself ! But I do wonder if Ed feels ashamed working for a paper that has gone into full attack dog mode in revenge for Mosley issuing writs against the Times in the Brundle affair? The Times itself clearly wants to inflict "more of ze punishment."

[Matt]

A German newspaper has suggested that the garage demotion is a result of Ron Dennis refusing to step down from Mclaren after last season's spying scandal. According to the newspaper, Mclaren would be allowed the 5th garage on the understanding that Dennis had agreed to resign. He didn't, and probably his deservedly grinning face on the podium in Australia probably didn't please Max either - so back to the end garage...

Is Mclaren not heavily backed by a Bahrainian investor? I wonder if this demotion is timed to cause maximum embarrassment to Mclaren.

[Johnny P-)]

ADAM: just the same as per the Spanish anger raised by Ed's comments towards Fernando. I wonder if you all catch the similarities.

[SAB]

Max suffers from a flawed character his narsissism plus his hubris and a life long family hangover drove him to motor racing . The only society that would accept him...now thanks to Ron Dennis(who outed him).....poor old Max will be looking at the business end of a Luger!ouch!!

[J.C.]

http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news/detail/080402085825.shtml

[Keith]

you poms are unbelieveable, because Mosely did the right thing in bringing some justice to Mclaren you now want to hang him. How about asking who was responsible for arranging Max's indiscretions to be filmed and published.Make no mistake, Mclaren are guilty of a far worse crime than Mosely, yet no call for them to be thrown out of F1

[Dale]

@ Keith.
Standards are standards, there are many here in the UK and may I suggest Australia that still have them.
Fact; A pervert is not a fit person to be the head of the FIA or any other major organisation and a revert is what it appears he is unless I am wrong and paying for sex with 5 prostitutes, spanking and whipping is normal behaviour (me thinks not).

Why you bring Mclaren into this is completely missing the point, this is nothing whatsoever to do with Mclaren it's about the perversions of the FIA President-- Dohh!!

[Disgusted]

Everybody knows that Britain hosts some of the worst newspapers of the planet. But each time a discussion about it arised I use to say: "Well, maybe, but britain also has The Times". For me that was the ultimate answer, the one that could redeem and pardon Britain for dirtying more paper then anybody on Earth.
But time(s) went by and so did this venerable daily. The mud has replaced ink and (real) journalists have been replaced by people like Ed Gorman.
Cry, beloved country...

[Tjenks]

Could somebody tell me why MaClaren were fined $100 & forfeited their Team points for an engineers wife photo copying Ferrari documents & Renault got away scot free for doing the same thing 2 months later. This "smacks" of a witch hunts by the FIA against MaClaren

[Paul Greenwood]

if Maclaren were fined $100million for bring the sport into disrepute, will MM recieve a similar fine ?

[Robert Rath]

In view of the NOTW Video , clearly Mosley decisions such as this one need to reviewed immediately.
What is good for the sport is what matters not sucking up to the Pervert Dictator Mosley!

[JAMES FERNLEY]

This Max Mosely should leave the Sport his Politics are damaging the sport. He has a personal vendetta against Ron Dennis

[Ed M]

How nice to see the evil Mosley get his come uppance. When the boss favours one team over all others, Ferrari, you can't expect the others to support him when he needs help or compassion. Shame he can't be fined £50 million for bringing the sport into disrepute.

[michael williams]

I amd sickened beyond belief that mm is not booted out of the FIA and left to his perversions. i feel sorry for his wife well not really she probaly knew about it and was glad to let him do it as long as e wasnt wipping her. The obvious witch hunt against McClaren must also cease as it is no longer enjoyable watching a sport that is so biased to Ferrari. Ferrari were not knocked down garages when MS lost their points!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. And as for Bernie perhaps his wife slaps him with a wet lettuce as he is a spineless w ker not ordering mm to go.

[Chris]

"Did Ferrari get moved down the pitlane in 1998 after Schumacher had all of his points from the 1997 season deducted for driving into Villeneuve at Jerez" - I believe not, since the points docking was aimed at the driver. The team were supposedly not at fault for MS's reckless actions on the track.

McLaren were punished last year. That punishment has been paid so there's no need for people to keep saying they deserve more. If that's the case then let's dock Ferrari, Renault and other teams for their past mistakes.

[Paul Gape]

Moseley's recent activities are bad enough but remember a while ago when he suggested making F1 more environmentally friendly? Surely that was a crime bad enough to dump him then, when all we want is power and exciting racing.
He's had his time.

[Lorraine]

Come on everyone......surely if we are fans of F1 what we want is exciting action ON THE TRACK? Not all this arguing and picking over the facts. Ok, Max Moseley has some kind of private fetish, and we all know Ferrari will get away with whatever they want to, but lets hope that Ron and McLaren will do their talking when those 3 red lights go out on race day!

[Paolo]

If Mosley had been a pedophile raping innocent children, then i would understand. In this case, he was just enjoying himself, behind closed doors. Who the hell has got the right to put his nose beyond those doors? Only british newspapers. And why? probably paid for by Mercedes.
I agree that it was ridicolous, but he did not harm anybody.
Just think about your perversions and compare.

[Kevin]

Like all dictators throughout history, without exception, they eventually reach a point where they believe they can do what they like without fear of reprisals. What happens then is the persecuted say we've had enough and start to fight back!! Next thing you know the dictator has been toppled. It always happens in the end without fail. Baron Max von S&Mosley has created a lot of oppression and enemies within the sport of Motor Racing and now the peasants have had enough and at long last are fighting back!! Watch your back Mosley the fatal blow is just around the corner. Then hopefully F1, without the meddling and cheating by those in power, may just be worth watching again.Can't wait for the demise of this dictator. Max Mosley was one of the founder members of the March team back in the late 60's, early 70's...Well hopefully now he will get his MARCHing orders!! Good riddance to bad rubbish is all I will say when he's gone!!!!!

[paolo secondo]

Can anybody inform "jeremy" n(april 2 comment) that italians do not appreciate anymore to be called "greaseballs"?

[NSP]

McLaren may have been moved to the last garage in Bahrain at the parsonal request of Max, but Max has been banned completely from Bahrain at the personal request of the Crown Prince.

Of the two, I'd say Max is the one facing bigger issues right now...

[Pete Thompson]

If the News of the World story is accurate, then I will send them Christmas cards and cakes; anything to get 'Mad Max' from off Ron's back, especially if he (Max)coerced some teams to complain, as implied in the above article.

[Roy]

Ban Mosely

he has and always will be a bias biggot and no more than useless

Bernie is also too big for his boots, the organisation is paid for by us and we want value for money, honesty and integrity.
Ed Gorman for FIA President. here here

[julie willnot]

@ paolo secondo

"jeremy" was not referring to italians in general but to montezemolo who IS, rest assured, a greaseball.

[D]

^
All of this is failing to ask the important question here.

WHO WAS IT WHO "ASKED" TEAMS OTHER THAN McLAREN TO COMPLAIN ABOUT IT ??

[Jimmy Pola]

If you look at it purely from a point view from last year, this is absolutely fair, but if you take Moseleys vendetta into consideration, this is just childish.

Max definitely has double standards, what ever happened to Renault, who admitted (Macraren did not and where "blackmailed" by Max into not appealing) to using stoled info??

Anyways, I am sure Maclaren will still be running at the top.

[Chris F]

Recent events have been questionable to say the least.

Is this racing or the personal agenda of two guys that have had their day?

Mr Moseley quite clearly has low moral standards and is a disgrace to the sport.

As for Bernie, well if he isn't strong enough to stand up against Moseley, then maybe he should step aside too.

Formula One has evolved. The sooner those two are gone the better for the sport.

[Pete]

Whilst I am generally inclined towards the views that one's private life is just that, private, I can't help thinking that in this case it would be better for the sport for MM to do the "decent thing" and resign to save the sport any further embarassment.

As to the subject of McLaren's misdeeds and punishment last season, I have just one question; If documents were passed from a Ferrari employee to a McLaren employee, and if doing so brings the sport into such disrepute, then why is it that Ferrari and thier employee were not similarly punished for thier part in the affair? As the saying goes, "It takes two to tango".

[Dave Reynolds]

It's high time somebody kicked Mosely out of F1. The man is not only 'persona non grata' with most of the world but a thoroughly vindictive and nasty piece of work to boot. IMO not just past his 'sell by date' in F1 either. Thinking back to what he said about Sir Jackie Stuart last year.... it should have been done then. Not surprised at the latest revelations concerning the Mercedes team either since the Germans are at the forefront of those calling for him to go. For God's sake do it and do it now; get rid of him and let us all get on with enjoying our sport again.

[Andrea]

Cause usually the victim of a fraud isn't punished by the law Pete.

[Mat]

I think it would be only fair for Ron to decide on Max's punishment.

[Ve have vays of making you talk.....]

This could all have been avoided if only Ron Dennis had agreed to go to Max's house warming party......

Seriosly its a shame when common sense is overridden by what appears tobe Max Mosley's personal vendetta against Ron Dennis. COme on Bernie show some backbone, Max is goig to be gone soon if hes got any sense.

[Alistaire Parrott]

I am surprised that BE wasn't stong enough to say go .... Maybe at his age he does not want the hassle.

[Geoff]

I think it shows something of the character of Mosley for wanting to take the newspaper to court for invasion of his "privacy", what about his wife and childrens feelings having the saga protracted in a court battle, having all his dirty leather hung out to dry,he is obviously a very self centred arrogant man with no thought for their feelings or emotions.
He should resign immediately, making the world of F1 a much better place.

[tony calder]

spare a moment for mm's three grown up children, mm alawys said he diassociated himself from his father activities?
spare a moment for his wife of 28 years.
dictator's always fall in the end, to take on the mighty might of murdoch, big mistake, today round two, on tape by one of the hookers, issue a writ over that one mm.
I am sure Bernie feels very let down, after all he has done to promote him for all these years.
how long before Ron gets the blame?
mm a gentlemen? if he was he would have resigned by now for the sake of his three children and his wife. be a man max, fall on your sword.
and say sorry to Ron on the way down.

[Alan T (Canada)]

Clearly Max wants to give Ron more of ze punishment.

"Fifteen more lashes for lying about ze e-mails".

[Igor]

It happended because of Fernando Alonso, the evilest man in the world, ha, ha, ha!