Mosley wins but there are no punitive damages

Max Mosley has won his court case against the News of the World. But his hopes of winning punitive damages in a "landmark" decision against the paper for its revelations of his part in what it claimed was a "sick Nazi orgy" have been dashed. Mr Justice Eady ordered the paper to pay Mosley what is still, however, record damages in privacy actions of £60,000.

More important the judge decided that the paper should pay the costs of both sides(£400,000 for the paper and £450,000 for Mosley) dismissing the argument of the News of the World's lawyers that, because they had won on the exemplary damages, they should not pay all the costs.

The judge said: "I decided that the claimant had a reasonable expectation of privacy in relation to sexual activities(albeit unconventional) carried on between consenting adults on private property. I found that there was no evidence that the gathering on 28 March 2008 was intended to be an enactment of Nazi behaviour or adoption of any of its attitudes. Nor was it in fact. I see no genuine basis at all for the suggestion that the participants mocked the victims of the Holocaust.

"There was bondage, beating and domination which seem to be typical of S and M behaviour. But there was no public interest or other justification for the clandestine recording, for the publication of the resulting information and still photographs, or for the placing of the video extracts on the News of the World website - all of this on a massive scale. Of course, I accept that such behaviour is viewed by some people with distaste and moral disapproval, but in the light of modern rights-based jurisprudence that does not provide any justification for the intrusion on the personal privacy of the claimant."

The judge continued "It is perhaps worth adding that there is nothing 'landmark' about this decision. It is simply the application to rather unusual facts of recently developed but established principles. Nor can it seriously be suggested that the case is likely to inhibit serious investigative journalism into crime or wrongdoing, where the public interest is more genuinely engaged. It is necessary, therefore, to afford an adequate financial remedy for the purpose of acknowledging the infringement and compensating, to some extent, for the injury to feelings, the embarrassment and distress caused.

"I am not persuaded that it is right to extend the application of exemplary (or punitive) damages into this field or to include an additional element specifically directed towards 'deterrence'. That does not seem to me to be a legitimate exercise in awarding compensatory damages. It has to be recognised that no amount of damages can fully compensate the claimant for the damage done. He is hardly exaggerating when he says that his life was ruined.

"What can be achieved by a monetary award in the circumstances is limited. Any award must be proportionate and avoid the appearance of arbitrariness. I have come to the conclusion that the right award, taking all these circumstances into account, is £60,000."

Here's Mosley's reaction:

"This judgment has nailed the Nazi lie upon which the News of the World sought to justify their disgraceful intrusion into my private life. By law we are all entitled to have our privacy respected.

The News of the World invaded my privacy, dreamt-up the most offensive headline possible, and decided that I should not be contacted before publication to prevent me asking the Court for the injunction I would have been entitled to. They and their lawyers have then conducted this case so as to cause maximum embarrassment in the hope that I would be discouraged from continuing.

I needed a strong judgment to make it absolutely clear that what the News of the World did was wrong. Obtaining that in the full glare of the media has been extremely difficult but I am delighted that we have achieved what we set out to do.

I hope my case will help deter newspapers in the UK from pursuing this type of invasive and salacious journalism. I have learnt first hand how devastating an invasion of privacy can be and how readily papers like the News of the World will destroy lives in the knowledge that few of their victims will dare sue them. I want to encourage a change in that practice.

As I promised at the outset, the damages will go to the FIA Foundation to further their work for road safety and the environment. Finally, I would like to thank all those who have supported me during this difficult period."

Comments

[Pierre]

Funny!

I bet the NOTW person writing the cheque can hardly keep their hand steady from laughing so much as they put pen to chequebook... only £60k for all that press and coverage! Bargain of the century.

Poor ol' Spanker.

[El Ponso]

Well, a resulting bill of sixty grand for an attempt to destroy an enemy seems rather cheap these days, even if it failed, when compared to other enterprises such as Afghanistan or Irak for example.
For in the end it's all the same:
Settling accounts because of money...

[RichyS]

Dear god, Mosley is more slippery than an eel dipped in Teflon and covered in butter.

For the good of motorsport and F1, I wish he'd just leave.

[LUCAS - LONDON]

Hello Ed,

When one exaggerates, he looses any 'rights' he could claim to have. As much as Mosley's private life may disgust people (like me), there several wrongdoings here:

1) The whole thing was a clear set-up. The 'news-of-the-world-times' corporation offered money to the prostitute to film and photograph Mosley. The whole thing wasn't her initiative, she did not have the material and offered to the tabloid - the tabloid asked her to produce the material.

Worse, showing their lack of 'moral press standards', they paid her half of what they promised - well done she did not appear in court to defend you guys.

2) The publication of the fact extrapolated and clearly sought 'maximum' damages on Mosley, including the Nazy suggestions.

Worse, if the whole thing was a set-up in the first place, many (like me) thought that the 'prostitute-leader' might have induced Mosley to behave in a way that she could claim to be a Nazi theme.

So, had the fact be published in a different manner, I doubt that people (like me) could defend Mosley nor that he could have won in court.

Good luck and I hope not to see you defending such 'immoral-tabloid' practices anymore, as I still believe you are great journalist.

If you believe in your heart that this tabloid is right, you might well ask for a transference to the News of the World in order to cover the celebrity life of Lewis Hamilton, rather than his sporting career.

[Derek Smith]

The full report is worth reading. It is hardly a one-sided declaration of support for Mosley. In fact it seems quite critical. 60K is hardly a knife in the heart of investigative journalism. Any such investigation would cost much more than that and, if you read the report, is unlikely to be challenged by this ruling.

If you take off the 8k that the NotW cut back on paying to its source, it seems something of a bargain.

The judge quotes Donaldson's decision when he said: The media . . . are particularly vulnerable to the error of confusing the public's interest with their own.

That is a stone cold case of pot calling the kettle black.

After all the fuss and bother the case changes nothing. Indeed, all it does do is to heap more ridicule on the FiA and its president. And the revelation of the Euston 40 is a Damoclesean sword over the FiA.

I hoped for a decision that would satisfy neither party (not the most honourable of desires) and I'm glad to say I seem to have got my wish.

[CHIUNDA]

Looks to me that it actually will cost NOTW £910000 - that is significant but still well below the profit the paper has made out of this story.

And not to mention that if Mosley wanted to get a cut he obviously failed miserably - can u imagine being a star in a porn movie and you walk away with a paltry £60000 while your lawyer walks off with a cool £450000. Are the damages punitive enough to stop the paper doing it to again(edit here Moderator) - highly unlikely - which means that the net loser is actually Mosley - he gets his name dragged in mud, and the paper will still publish that kind of story.

As for his presidency with FIA - well ... maybe one day Formula 1 will pay the price.

Lesson learned - the President of the FIA is irrelevant in the performance and running of Formula 1. Unfortunate turn of events but it is the way of the world today.

[Evonne O]

I am so happy that the court case has finally finished now I can enjoy this rather good season ( There have been any high and low points already and I am sure there will be more to come! ) without any fool deciding too spoil it…

[Koj Finland]

Hello

Missing emails - A laptop, kept at Mr Mosley’s flat in Chelsea, west London, where his S&M orgies took place, was surrendered to computer experts but the emails had been deleted from there as well.

Woman E was asked to consent to Microsoft searching its Hotmail system for the missing messages so they could be disclosed to the News of the World for the trial. But she refused.
Can you just imagine what would be found if the same in depth investigation were used as that applied to McLaren by Mosley/FIA?I agree with others that are basically saying, what's changed? The answer is nothing at all.
Not in the UK, Finland or anywhere else in the world, he will ever be known as spanker, similar or a lot worse.

[Massa no1]

hmm cant say I agree, at the end of the day if he was sleeping with his Wife then I can understand but paying for sex with 5 women of the night! and engaging in S&M activites with them when he holds a position such as his, and he has a family and wife at home is just plain wrong. I for one am glad that the public know what kind of man he is.

[Matthew]

Whatever the outcome, it remains the FIA is run by a (term deleted by Moderator) who indulges in deviant sexual practices. Does Mosely set a good example? Thats up to the FIA members to decide but for me he certainly does not. I cant make out whether Justice Eady is one of those who "views such practices with distaste and moral dissaproval" or whether he thinks its OK.

[Derek Smith]

I haven’t got all that many successful friends but I phoned one – his secretary actually – of the few who have made it almost to the top and asked him what would have happened if Mosley had been on the board of the company he works for. He’d already prepared his answer as he thought I’d ask him just that. Either I’m predictable or he’s in his position through merit.

Integrity, or the confidence his customers have that the executives would act in accordance with the best interests of the company (I said ‘do the right thing’ but he said it’s not quite the same thing) is vital in any big, international business. So it would expected of any executive to limit the damage the revelations would cause the company and resign as soon as the news broke or, preferably, before.

Once the resignation was accepted and the dust had settled the company would probably reemploy the person but in a different post although he would probably be performing the same function. If the chap had handled himself well and has caused little fuss he might even be awarded some form of bonus, which might be a sinecure in another country for a short period.

What would be completely inappropriate would be for the individual to pursue such a case through the civil courts whilst still working for the firm. He might also be ‘encouraged’ to forgo the dubious honour of having his dirty linen aired in public. What form this encouragement would take would, according to my friend, “depend on circumstances”.

“These things happen all the time.” I was told and the format is evidently quite well established. My friend said that executives go to foreign countries where giving into temptation is encouraged. Men are away from their family for long periods sometimes so ‘stings’ are easy to organise. The procedures are there to protect the staff as well as, and secondary to, the company.

His opinion of the way Mosley has handled himself would be deleted by the moderator of these blogs.

He was particularly critical of the long established risky behaviour. Not something that someone who is president of such a company should indulge in.

“We’ve loved the whole thing up here.” he said. “We could use it as a training exercise as how not to go about it if you want your pension. The words FiA and orgy are on the front page of every news feed.”

[D]

^
It is premature for anyone to conclude that this case is over unless and until the final date passes for News International to lodge an appeal.

As Mosley, himself, well knows.

It's a mistake that many have made, to their cost, in the past...

It will certainly be considered by some that the small size of the award against News International was actually the real act of deterrence deployed in this judgement.

[David Jones]

Euston 40 sex shows which Max Mosley has a financial interest in. £35,000 paid for the rental of his brothel dungeon, fully paid trips abroad for one of his prostitutes, practising in such activities for over 40 years, yep, Max Mosley has proven with his success in this trial (remember that this was just about the Nazi element) that he is a fit person to run the FIA and control F1.
Someone somewhere is having a big laugh at the media.

Watching the TV news tonight the News of the World was the headline with the paper getting several mentions as it has since this story broke. The News of the World website (http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/) has increased its traffic 10 or more fold and the paper sold a huge amount of additional copies. All this for a total cost of about £1,000,000, maybe its News International that’s having the laugh as the extra exposure the paper has received would have cost way over £1,000,000.

I hope that one of the serious papers, maybe the Times, will dig deeper into the Euston 40 revelation, who knows what will be uncovered.

As the editor of the News of the World rightly said, it’s laws from Europe that are slowly stifling our free press, what the hell our press has to do with Europe – now don’t get me started on that one------------------.

As has been said, once a spanker always a spanker, we knew that anyway but we didn’t know about the other things I've mentioned above. Last thought, why the Euston 40 I’d have thought Kings Cross would have been more obvious (Oh that’s why)!

[F1-Insider]

Colin Myler, the editor of the News of the World, said outside court that the newspaper was pleased the judge did not award exemplary damages. "Our press is less free today after another judgement based on privacy laws emanating from Europe."

2 of the things that make the UK a very special place are the freedom of the press and our legal system.

My personal view is: today damage has been dome to both.

Any ‘A’ level history student would have recognised what went on in that room excluding the sex as the period of the Second World War Germany. Arian race, head lice, shaving of the pubic hair and so on, if this is the case then how did the judge come to a different conclusion, after all the accusation was a Nazi flavour orgy wasn't it? Funny how emails went missing isn’t it?

To have our press shackled by laws coming from Europe is wrong, by all means do what you like to the press if needs be but lets make our own laws.

As ‘D1 says all is not over as News International may well decide to appeal, lets wait and see though £1,000,000 is hardly massive money to them and they may feel better to fight another day.

Make no mistake, although MM will try to present this as a huge victory it wasn’t, the revelations that came out re the Euston 40...(edit Moderator)... and his financial involvement is to me even more depraved than his orgy, Remember this wasn’t known before the trial – but it is now and always will be!

I have noticed that a number of posts have been removed from this thread, is this a sigh of how we may be censored in the future because of this result and the fear that an F1 pass is denied? We’ll all be watching and I hope the press stays free and fights for it.

[javiervivaespania]

What I find really amazing is the cost of the trials. It seems that the UK is a place where Pinochet, Mosley and all those who can pay, get "justice" done.
I do not mean to offend you guys. I am just talking about the cost of the justice and the injustice.

[Weasel]

Did the NOTW invade Mosley's privacy? Yes and thus the judgment was correct. Was there an element of Nazi concentration/death camp in the orgy? Here I find the judge wrong - so yes, probably.

Now to the more interesting issue: as Mosley has been exposed as an active promoter and financial enabler of the Euston 40, is he fit to be president of the FIA (or any other public office for that matter)? Living off immoral earnings ia a criminal activity under British law, so when do we get to see Mosley arrested, arraigned and put on trial for these charges?

One question for the FIA: Do you condone or endorse criminal activity among your elected representatives? Yes or no?

[jordi]

1- Does anyone think that the MM scandal has made any difference on the numbers of people that watch F1 on TV?

I dont think so.

Sponsors still there, TV still there, Bernie still there...

2- Who give news of the world the tip? how did they know? I would love to know, surely it has to be someone that stands in a very high horse, telling people what's right, what's wrong, what's morality, equality, honour....

[todd]

What someone does in their own time is their own business. He's not hurting anyone, killing anything or breaking any laws.

I'm involved in sexual deviant practices, its good clean fun, everyone is happy and no one gets hurt. Oh, and this year I've personally funded and help build a small school in north east thailand (I live half my year in thailand).

I also run a good business and have very happy employees, should i stop helping people because i have great sex? I think not.

He's a busy man with a busy life, every man wants a a couple of girls at the same time but their girlfriends will hardly ever do it, he would have little time to meet girls so its just easier to rent them. It's cheaper too.

I have no doubt in my mind that what he does in his own time, his own personal interest and his own business interest have no relevance to what he does with the FIA.

I'm with @Evonne O... case closed, there's some good racing going on the track, lets enjoy it, that's the whole point of watching f1.

[McCheets]

Some McMoaners are at it again! What relevance does the punishment that the FIA handed McLaren have to this case?

NOTW made allegations which they could not substantiate in court.

The question is whether or not what Mosley did makes him fit for office.

[McLaren most sporting team in F1]

I have just read http://www.planetf1.com/story/0,18954,3213_3863386,00.html which I found a very good read. What is said about the fear factor is true. How can F1 be run like this?
Several ore referring to the euston 40 thing, what is it, is it a part of the S&m scene?
Thanks

[McCheets]

The McMoaners should be thanked for inadvertently revealing their true views. It is clear that they simply dislike Mosley, and if a tabloid newspaper making scurrilous allegations is the method by which he is to be removed from office, then so be it.

[Stelmara]

Ed
Maybe you could advise me as to why my earlier post has been removed as it contained nothing controversial, in fact I stated that I thought now was a time for keeping my mouth shut?
Reading the press today it's amazing how the orgy has suddenly turned into a party. Regardless as to what the judge's ruling was how can an orgy with 5 prostitutes and one man now be referred to as a party?
Ed, maybe you could be honest with us and advise if you and other journalists are having to take this line because of fear of an impending libel case by Mosley?

Stella

[The Joker]

Dear Sir's
I have read today that the FIA President is moving his head quarters to the UK to a purpose built office complex in Euston, London. Could you confirm this or is it just a rumour?

[McCheets]

MCLAREN MOST SPORTING TEAM IN F1

Thanks very much for the link.

I notice that Sir Jackie is at it again. He said of the FIA, "They should have more knowledge of life than to allow this to continue, and that is what is showing up negatively against them.“

We should Stewart's recent stated intention of issuing a DVD re-release of 'Weekend of a Champion', which involved him making a telephone call to Roman Polanski to discuss the matter.

Is Sir Jackie being inconsistent here?

[F1-Insider]

See http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns20607.html on Grandprix.com.

Maybe the impending libel case will stir News International enough to put their full might into investigating the missing emails AND the Euston 40.

If emails have been written, sent and deleted there is a trace of them somewhere, may I suggest that News International use the same Italian body that tracked the messages and emails in the Spygate affair, the only problem as I see it is they will have to follow guidelines within the law to be able to use any evidence to support their case against Max Mosley whereas Mosley said this didn’t matter in Spygate.

Max Mosley maybe should remember the saying;’ those who live by the sword usually die by the sword’.

He should also remember Archer and Aitken, both got away with loads before being caught for what they are, both had many friends in high places and both thought themselves untouchable by their foes. The truth normally prevails; it’s just a matter of time.

What is certain is that the journalist that gets him, if there is any getting to be got will become extremely famous with the journalistic world, so there’s the challenge!

[Pinaster]

Boring boring boring...

[McCheets]

It is clear that there are some who are not happy with decisions in F1, or in the Mosley case, unless the outcome conforms to what they believe should happen.

PINASTER

You summed it up perfectly.

[Derek Smith]

F1 Insider,

I think part of Archer's problem was that most had nothing but contempt for him. He seemed to have just the one patron and once her authority wobbled as much as her walk, he was removed from the scene.

I've got no idea of what ‘Sword of Truth and Shield of something else’ Aitken's support was, but it seemed to desert him soon enough. Put not your faith in MPs.

I'm unaware of any out and out friends of Mosley. There are a considerable number of those who owe him in and around the various boards in the FiA. He lost a vote once on a matter which most thought was very minor. Max Rufus was of a different opinion and handed in his notice. A little while later he decided that he didn’t really mean it and didn’t really hand his notice in. Again a little while later, there was a night of the long knives. (Full details on pitpass.com) The problem with promoting people to high positions is that it only works as a reward to those who are ambitious. You can hear them ticking. Loyalty is often an encumbrance to those who want promotion. If Max does get his comeuppance I reckon it will come from one of those he has honoured.

And whilst I find the effort of replying to McCheets a bit of a waste I would like to point out that Polanski's victim has said, and very publicly, that she forgives him and wants it all to end. I feel that there is an obligation place on one to follow the victim's lead in such a case. Despite the repugnance one must feel as to his offence, we should leave it alone. After this little slip of mine, I will from now on.

[Stelmara]

Worth reading. Headlines today again, headline news on the BBC and a lot more to come out in the future as MM embarks on his libel case - nice to se the FIA & F1 come high on his list of priorities.

-----------------------------

The FIA has a global membership of almost 125 million. It encompasses all creeds, religions and cultures, and the members have a right to expect their elected leader and most senior representatives to maintain standards in both his professional and private life so as to maintain the dignity and respect for his office and the organisation, the richest sport in the world.

He has a duty not to betray the trust they have placed in him and not to compromise his position and the organisation.

His activities were not "Carry On" style hanky-spanky parties, as his legal team argued.

They were brutal, repulsive and depraved, as the evidence in the case revealed.

The beatings were violent and blood was drawn after Mosley was relentlessly whipped with a birch. Prostitutes were subjected to simulated rape.

He beat girls' bare bottoms with a leather strap and barked "I zink zey need more of ze punishment." He counted out the blows and then a prostitute performed a sex act on him. He also had full sex with one of the women.

Before that, he played out a bizarre scene where he had his genitals inspected and measured, his bottom shaved and had his hair searched for lice.

At the end, he paid each of the five girls £500 for their services.

Mosley made great play that he was warned to be careful about his private life, first in January by his Formula 1 colleague, Bernie Ecclestone, and again, on February 26, by Lord John Stevens, the former Metropolitan Police Commissioner.

So concerned was he that he organised two orgies within weeks, only streets away from his home.

Given his enormous influence over the global riches of Formula 1, did Mosley not expose himself to the potential of blackmail with his reckless behaviour?

We say he did.

And so did the Judge.

In his judgement, Mr Justice Eady said: "Many would think that if a prominent man puts himself, year after year, into the hands (literally and metaphorically) of prostitutes ...he is gambling in placing so much trust in them.

"There is a risk of exposure or blackmail inherent in such a course of conduct. To a casual observer...it might seem that the claimant's behaviour was reckless and almost self-destructive."

He added: "It could be thought unreasonable to absolve him of all responsibility for placing himself and his family in the predicament in which they now find themselves.

"It is part and parcel of human dignity that one must take at least some responsibility for one's own actions.

[Stelmara]

I thought these two sections were an excellent summing up how many may feel about this whole sorry saga. Could anyone imagine the images those that have to deal with Max Mosley will be having when they speak with him?
The further detail regarding the Euston 40 is just plain and simple, SICK (well that's how it made me feel when I read this).

-------------------------------
As published in today's News of the World.

And what damage will Max Mosley’s sordid reputation do to the FIA?

Will he ever be able to walk into a board meeting or a room again without someone, particularly women, wanting to spit in his eye?

Can he ever again be taken seriously again? Because whatever Mr Justice Eady says, Mosley’s woeful lack of morality DOES affect EVERY area of his life. It affects how he thinks, how he behaves, how he treats his family and yes, it affects his career.

What kind of a society are British judges creating when they say it’s perfectly acceptable for a rich, powerful man to procure, exploit and beat women—women so desperate they have to sell their bodies for money? And if these women actually enjoy what they do (as Mosley’s hookers claimed they did) why seek anonymity and insist on being referred to as Ms A, B, C and D. Doesn’t that signal shame?

[Derek Smith]

Just to say I'm a little confused by what Max Rufus called a party.

I went to a party on Saturday evening. It lasted a little longer than five hours and it too ended with a cup of tea, although in my case it was a rather delicious white tea. There were a number of other differences however, the one that stood out the most was the fact that none of us were paid £500 to be there. In fact just the reverse. I was obliged by custom to take valuable material with me: a bottle of decent wine, a pack of excellent wild boar sausages and some lovely looking steaks.

This is what I consider to be a party with consenting adults. If my host had to pay her guests £100 per hour to attend she would be a very sad person indeed.

[McCheets]

DEREK SMITH

Given that you frequently let it slip that you have a background in law enforcement, and your views on Mosley's actions which you have expressed at length, I am nothing short of shocked, and disappointed, by your comments.

I can only hope for the sake of your credibility that somebody else was masquerading as you.

[jordi]

Stelmara
For someone that thinks that MM acctions were so disgusting, repulsive and depraved, you have taken lots of time to read about it.
Are you sure that deep inside you don't actually enjoy it?

[Stelmara]

Derek, it's clear that the person who insults you has his own agenda. It's twerps like him that bring blogs down to a level most of us don't want.
His agenda is his agenda and from what I've read he contributes little of any worth.

Stella

[Stelmara]

jordi
You silly silly silly man. I find your comment both insulting and frankly, plain stupid.
If you have nothing to say, then why say it?
I posted the comments so others could read the information for themselves as, in my view, the Mosley scandal is the biggest thing ever to have hit, both the FIA and F1 and his pouncing as though now is all OK is, to me offensive.
The additional revelations that came out during the trial just sums up the man to me.
To you and a few others all may now be OK, to me and many others it isn't why else would Mosley accept and agree that others will not do the official meetings etc?
Please do not insult me on a subject you obviously know little about or any other come to that.

Stella

[Derek Smith]

[Ed, I wonder if I could ask your indulgence here and post this totally off-topic reply to comments about Polanski.]

Off topic, I know, but this is important to me.

Towards the end of what I rather laughingly called my career I was involved in a number of major enquires including rape, child molestation and attacks on the vulnerable. These often leave the victim traumatised and, bewilderingly to me, with a certain degree of guilt. The way victims are treated by the police and courts does not assist their recuperation and healing. Indeed, I’ve been in a meeting where we were asked for ideas to ‘encourage’ a rape victim to testify. One of the suggestions was to inform her that it was her duty to do so for the next women the chap will rape. That'll make her feel better. To be fair to the police, the SIO was speachless in his anger at the comment.

The interests of the victim are paramount. If the police can’t take the case to court, or protect the innocent without putting the victims through the agony of the legal procedures then it is those who design these procedures who have the duty to do something positive before the next victim is raped.

If a victim does not want to proceed, or indeed if they forgive the perpetuator, then everyone else should accept it and support the victim’s wishes. You might not like it, I might not like it, but the victim’s opinion is the one that matters.

[Anon]

Personally, I am quite satisfied with the decision. We can keep arguing about this forever, which I do not intend to do. I am happy that the tabloid culture has been dealt a blow. The judge is a good person- one who applies the law as it should be and as it is written.

Now: TO HUNGARY!

For an Alonso fan, Germany was a bit painful to watch. Fernando seems to be driving a bit crazily these last few races, France, Monaco, Canada, and now Germany. but Hungary must be his favorite track now considering his '08 misadventures in Monaco.

Lewis Hamilton: when will he stop? After France, he seemed to be definitely broken and his spirit crushed as he went on about being indestructible. Aside from the bit of ego showing, you have to admit he is soert of unkillable. It took two elite drivers, Alonso and Raikkonen, to bring him down to the floor this year.But now, he has matured as was expected aat the beginning of last year. The only thing that is a thorn in his side is inconsistency. If he wins in Hungary and become the first driver to win three races in a row since '06, I think he will have solved that problem for the time being! Problem is, if you look at Lewis's performances, you see that a race win is followed by two bad races. Australia led to Maslaysia and Bahrain, while Monaco led to Canada and France. But a win in Hungary seems to be his own by right and it seems nothing can stop. Mechanical failure? Heikki takes all of them and the McLaren seems OK. Pit-lane acident? Lesson learnt. Rain accident? Well, no one is invincible in the rain, but Lewis seems to be able to hold it off easily. Crash? Very unlikely. Heikki being faster? Well, Fernando was undoubtedly faster than Lewis in Hungary, but Heikki is not Fernando.

So what could stop him?

Should anything stop him? For me, it seems incredible that someone could win three races in a row considering how this season has been all about bounces up and down. Lewis can do it though.

His neasrest challenger will almost certainly be Nick Heidfeld. Nick is back in real shape and will probably break into Q3. I can see him starting fifth, heavily loaded. Let's not forget that last year, Nick outqualified both Ferraris fair and square. With the better '08 car, it seems he has second place bolted in the race. I have some crazy idea that he will win. Probably not. Ferrari are too debilitated to take on McLaren, so on a McLaren stronghold, don't expect much!

Race preds:

Lewis
Nick
Kimi
Heikki
Robert
Felipe
Fernando
Nico- random guess there.

But this season has taught us never to say never. And I can see only one thing stopping Lewis, and that is bad strategy in faor of tires. Probably not.

[The Joker]

I will bet that there is not a person reading this page will be able to read http://www.planet-f1.com/story/0,18954,3261_3877068,00.html and not have a jolly good laugh. Tell me how anyone could possibly take him seriously again?

Have a laugh

The Joker

[F1-Insider]

The Joker

They couldn't and they won't. Sadly all this just won't go away until he's gone

Stella

There are always a few, better to just ignore them otherwise it could bring you down.

Jordi

What you said to Stella is out of order. A gentleman would apologise.

[McCheets]

STELMARA

My ‘agenda’ was to highlight that fact that on the one hand Jackie Stewart is urging Mosley to stand down for his actions, whilst on the other he is quite happy to discuss business with an individual who, as far as I am aware, is a fugitive. This could lead one to conclude that his actions with respect to Mosley are nothing more than shameless opportunism, fuelled by a personal disliking. Given his vocal behaviour with respect to Mosley, which contains a tacit element of moral superiority, I can’t see any reason why he should be contacting a fugitive, other than to urge this person to hand himself over to the relevant authorities.

Perhaps you view this matter differently

There are people who are genuinely distressed by Mosley’s actions, and there are those who simply want him to go, whatever the reason. I am quite happy to listen to the former, but have no regard whatsoever for the views of the latter.

My ‘insult’ was in response to a disparaging remark about me, and the inconsistent argument that accompanied this comment. None of the women claim to have been violated by Mosley, indeed Witness E offered apologies to Mosley for the exposé. If the logic of Derek Smith’s argument were to be applied consistently, then I can’t see how he could possibly have a problem with Mosley. Therefore, all of his previous contributions on the matter, many of which I have found insightful, serve no purpose.

If you consider me to be a twerp who posts worthless comments, then you probably shouldn’t bother commenting on what I have to say. It is my view that this forum is full of ciphers, and I have readily acknowledged to be one on previous occasions.

F1-INSIDER

You are so right, and some of them must be 45+.