F1 2009

[David Morton]

There is talk of heads being on blocks in the Renault crashgate saga - I wonder if it comes to that which way Flavio would like to go ? It days of old being a French concern it might have been the 'madame' Guillotine but because he works here in England we may see the Halifax Gibbet or the Scottish Maiden come back out of retirement.
Actually, I think his very small, nay diminutive, now unmarried friend Eccelstone will ride in and rescue him from the baying hordes at the last minute and drum up some cock and bull story that will exonerate Flav and blame it on some chogy patsy in Singapore.

 

[Jack]

I suggest the "Scottish Maiden" resolution..

 

[David Morton]

If you ever visit Edinburgh you can find the actual original Scottish Maiden - well preserved in the museum of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland.
Strange what people keep. And no - my namesake (who was also the Regent) was not the first person to try it out though he did lose it to the Maiden big time though much later on. I think 'she' did about 130 ish before they retired 'her'.

Was it Morton who betrayed Mary Queen of Scots to Elizabeth I ?
History was never my strong subject especially where names are concerned.


I digress...................

 

[Jack]

According to Wikipedia:

It was introduced to Scotland during the minority of King James VI, from Halifax, West Yorkshire, in the north of England, by the Regent James Douglas, 4th Earl of Morton. The Earl was eventually executed by it himself, although contrary to legend he was not the first person to be executed by it.
From 1564 to 1708 when it was withdrawn from use, over 150 people were executed on the maiden. Notable victims included Archibald Campbell, 1st Marquess of Argyll, executed following the Restoration of Charles II, and his son Archibald Campbell, 9th Earl of Argyll, executed for leading a rebellion against James VII.

 

[David Morton]

Wonderful.
Thanks for that.

 

[Jack]

David, we must be bored! Raining cats & dogs here, no chance to work on my car
today............

 

[David Morton]

and I'm recuperating from shoulder surgery with 6 weeks in a sling and no driving and another possible Op either next week or the week following. Yes - rather bored and it's also raining here as well. I missed a good mornings fishing on the River Test but my neighbour brought a magnificent fish home for me as an offset.

 

[Keith]

Owing to FB's national origins perhaps the Roman military method would be more appropriate. This practice was of course used by the Roman legions in England so it would be entirely fitting.

Known by the name of decollatio, the head was laid on a cippus, or block, placed in a pit dug for the purpose; outside of the vallum, within the city, but outside the walls, at a place near the porta decumana. Preparatory to the stroke the criminal was tied to a stake and whipped with rods. In early times the blow was given with an axe, but in later times with a sword, which was thought the more reputable manner of dying. The execution was often clumsily performed, but with practice they grew more expert, and took the head off clean with one circular stroke.

Having said that, Renault (& the FIA) might prefer the very English method of Hanging, Drawing and Quartering; his head and body parts being displayed on the gates of various race tracks around the World "pour encourager les autres" :blank:

But we shouldn't get "ahead" of ourselves here.... :uneasy:

 

[Jack]

Well done Keith!

 

[David Morton]

Maybe the Long Drop variety.

 

[Pete McCluskey.]

At this point, several minutes after the accident, Briatore intervenes for the first time and his reaction is to criticise Piquet, not express any concern for him. “F***ing hell . . . my every f***ing disgrace, f***ing, he’s not a driver,” he says.

Not the reaction of someone that knew his driver was instructed to crash.
IMHO.

Good news about Lotus.

 

[Keith]

At this point, several minutes after the accident, Briatore intervenes for the first time and his reaction is to criticise Piquet, not express any concern for him. “F***ing hell . . . my every f***ing disgrace, f***ing, he’s not a driver,” he says.

Not the reaction of someone that knew his driver was instructed to crash.
IMHO.

Good point Pete, but it was taken from a radio transcript and he is as cunning as a barrel of monkeys....

 

[Pete McCluskey.]

I'm curious to know how a team could engineer a deliberate crash other than by radio or pit board, which are monitored. I would be surprised if it were pre planned because of all the variables that happen during a race. Then I'm only a boy from the bush and not up with these things.

 

[David Morton]

Peter, I think you mentioned a key point that Flavs outsburst happened several minutes after the accident. Orchestrated ?? It may well be so. As Keith points out, as cunning as a barrel of monkeys.
I witnessed some things which could only be described as lying and cheating in other teams I worked with, so if this 'crashgate saga' is true would it suprise me ?
Probably not.

 

[Pete McCluskey.]

Agreed David, at the lower levels of motor sport that I was involved in, the dictum was "It's only cheating if you get caught".
I'm sure that carries through to F1, but still doesn't explain how it was orchestrated.

 

[Keith]

Agreed David, at the lower levels of motor sport that I was involved in, the dictum was "It's only cheating if you get caught".
I'm sure that carries through to F1, but still doesn't explain how it was orchestrated.

Pat Symonds has already admitted that the idea was mooted the day before the race and that ideal spots were identified on the circuit which had no recovery crane and therefore meant Safety Car. Or rather, he didn't deny it and "reserved his position".

If he has claimed immunity there has to be substance in it.

There's a lot of smoke here - perhaps a bit too much to see the fire.

However, I fervently wish it isn't true - seriously.

 

[David Morton]

Totally in agreement Keith. I wish it wasn't so.
Today will see what the parent Renault company will do ahead of the FIA and Mr Whip........ Sorry - the president Mosley and what he decides to do. Don't forget
Flav and Bernie jointly own a football team and are megga mates so Bernie will probably tell Mr. Wh....... sorry, the president Mosley to give him a good thrashing and be done with it.

Do you know you could not write this in a book if you tried and if you did, nobody would believe it !!

 

[David Morton]

Flavio Briatore and Pat Symonds have been terminated from Renault F1 with immediate effect.

 

[Malcolm]

And Renault are apparently not contesting the charges! At least Max can retire in peace knowing he has brought down his two arch enemies, Briatore and Dennis. All he needs now to keep the chaos that is F1 is for Todt to get elected! At least we have a decent end to the season in store with a race for the championship between two nice guys.

 

[Keith]

Flavio Briatore and Pat Symonds have been terminated from Renault F1 with immediate effect.

Holy sh*t....