Renault 'Crashgate' - Symmonds offered immunity

Willie Trombone

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http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/78646
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/78647

Someone has something to hide...

This if the official transcript of the relevant parts of an interview between FIA representatives and Pat Symonds, at the Belgian Grand Prix, discussing the Singapore Grand Prix race-fix allegations and the race morning meeting between himself, Flavio Briatore and Nelson Piquet.

FIA adviser: In your own words Mr. Symonds what do you recall being said to Nelson Piquet Jnr at that meeting? This is shortly before the race.

Symonds: I don't really remember it.

FIA adviser: You don't remember?

Symonds: No.

FIA adviser: Nelson Piquet Jnr says that he was asked by you to cause a deliberate crash. Is that true?

Symonds: Nelson had spoken to me the day before and suggested that. That's all I'd really like to say.

(...)

FIA adviser: Mr Symonds were you aware that there was going to be crash at Lap 14?

Symonds: I don't want to answer that question.

(...)

FIA adviser: There is just one thing that I ought to ask you and put it to you so you can think about it at least. Mr. Piquet Jnr says that having had the initial meeting with you and Flavio Briatore you then met him individually with the map of the circuit. Do you remember that?

Symonds: I won't answer, rather not answer that. I don't recall it but it sounds like Nelson's talked a lot more about it.

FIA adviser: Mr. Piquet Jnr also says at that meeting you pointed out a specific place on the circuit where he was to have the accident and said it was because it was the furthest away from any of the safety or lifting equipment and gave the most likely chance of a safety car being deployed.

Symonds: I don't, I don't want to answer that question.

FIA adviser: [Referring to the pre-race meeting] Was it you that did the talking at that meeting Mr. Symonds?

Symonds: I'm sure it would have been both of us but I don't know for sure. Sorry that's a contradiction. I would imagine it would be both of us that would be normal. Actually probably more often it's Flavio that does the talking himself. I wouldn't necessarily always agree with what he's saying but the majority.

FIA adviser: Because just to be absolutely clear here what Nelson Piquet Jnr has said is that at that meeting it was you that asked him to have a crash deliberately?

Symonds: I can't answer you.

FIA adviser: Can I say that if Mr. Symonds you'd been put in the position where you were made to ask Mr. Piquet Jnr to crash it's much better, it would be much better for you in the long term to tell these stewards to hear that today?

Symonds: I fully understand that.

FIA adviser: Yes.

Symonds: I have no intention of lying to you. I have not lied to you but I have reserved my position just a little.

FIA adviser: And you're aware that the stewards may draw conclusions from your unwillingness to assist them in relation to what went on in that meeting?

Symonds: I would expect them to. I would absolutely expect that.

FIA adviser: I think I haven't got any further questions.
 
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DJ...

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Pretty damning interview.

But where is there any mention of Symonds being offered immunity, as per the thread title? :confused:
 

[OUPA]MrNutz

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Sad that Nelson played along while being at Renault and now only when he received the boot he is now so eager to tell everyone what went wrong inside Renault.

He could have ignored the team order on the day imho..."faulty radio" and do what is right...obviously that wouldn't have gone down nicely afterwards with captain flav.
 

killadoob

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Yup it makes nelson look stupid in my opinion and has ruined his F1 career if he still had one.
 

SirFooK'nG

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Man, there is always something fishy with Alonso's team!!! Wherever he goes there is some sort of hidden agenda.... I think he is one of the best out there, just in a rubbish car. I hope he wont corrupt ferrari when he moves over!
 

Willie Trombone

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Guys, no use blaming a rookie who was effectively trying to establish himself in the team. he shouldn't have done it but he probably had two options - play along or go back go GP2. It's not easy to get into F1 as I'm sure he knew.

What about Flav? What about Symmonds? They are the ones who should know better.
 

killadoob

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Yes i understand that but if that is your view on your career ok wait:

Let's say nelson decides fine i am going to do this because i want the drive, so he does all is good nobody suspects a thing, nelson just drives like he has no talent until he gets fired.

Then nelson decides no what they did was wrong, would nelson have felt this way if he was still driving for renault?

No he would kept his mouth shut, now he is a known cheater in F1, back to gp2 anyways.
 

Willie Trombone

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And if he didn't come out with it, Renault would be thinking about the next one - Nelsinho is just a driver anyway.
 

SirFooK'nG

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There is a lot more behind the scenes than we are aware of, thats for sure. All the teams have their little tricks, c'mon, we just don't want to think of them doing underhanded tactics. Nelson is a sore loser and will make a lot of teams very nervous. He will not come out of this one clean, no way in hell. He did it regardless of his attempt to rat out Renault. He is a guilty no good snake in the grass. Even Schumi tactfully took damon hill off the race track once to ensure his championship ... hmmm.

Nelson = FAIL
 

killadoob

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Nelson = epic fail in my opinion.

Nelson should have either ignored it or come out after the GP and told everyone, he looks as you say IRG as nothing more than a sore loser who cannot drive a f1 car very well and will be known for the rest of his life as a cheat along with renault.

Well done nelson i hope you are enjoying destroying your own career nooblet.
 
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Willie Trombone

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Bright side

Always look on the bright side... if not for the crash, LH could have got at least 2 more points at Singapore but then we wouldn't have had the awesome finale

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlJWwuV9eBw[/ame]
 
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