Ferrari Mailing List: Today's episode of Desperate Drivers [SPOILER]

[Pat Scopelliti (pscopell]

Just when you thought it couldn't get any weirder...  As a friend often
says... "Looks like the F***-Up Fairy is back"

As I've been saying all along, Alonso is cracking.  Hamilton looked quite
annoyed, almost as much as poor Mr. Dennis.  What a complete mess.  One
question is why was Alonso held the first time?  It almost appeared to be a
penalty for holding Kimi up, though there has been no announcement.  

Of course Ferrari wasn't going to sit idly by, so they screwed Massa quite
well indeed.  Forgot to fuel the car?  You gotta think that is one person's
ex job.  And I imagine Felipe is just slightly apoplectic.

Meanwhile, Stepneygate gets better.  Flavio waded into the deep water.  From
PitPass.com:

---------
However, speaking later at a briefing with the Italian media, the flamboyant
team boss pulled no punches, basically accusing McLaren of cheating and
calling on the British team to be thrown out of the World Championship.

Other than the issues already being discussed (and how!), Briatore cast
doubt on how McLaren was able to adapt to the switch to Bridgestone rubber
so easily, when his own team - like several others - took forever.
"Michelin's retirement (from F1) was a disaster for Renault," he said.

The Italian accused Dennis of being the one to protest to the FIA about
Renault mass damper system, which despite having been used (legally) by the
French team since later 2005 was only declared illegal halfway through the
2006 season.

"He was the one who protested," the Italian declared last night. "He is not
the immaculate saint he pretends to be."

Believing that Renault, like Ferrari is an "injured party", Briatore
confirmed that he will personally attend the appeal, claiming that the 2007
championship has been tainted. "Not just for us and Ferrari, but for
everyone," he said "Here is a team that has acquired an advantage
illegally."

As for the punishment that should be meted out to the Woking team, Briatore
is under no illusions: "I am not a judge," he said. "Just read the
regulations, for intellectual property theft there is only one possible
punishment and that is exclusion."

As far as Ron Dennis' claim that Nigel Stepney should be lauded for his role
as whistle-blower is concerned.

"Hero?" Briatore scoffed. "Many people would thank their lucky stars to be
working in F1. These two (Coughlan and Stepney) made tons of money, but that
wasn't enough for them. They should be banned."
---------

And the final item.. ya gotta love David Hobbs.  Anyone who mentions Hungary
being "as dry as a dingo's umm... appendage" is OK in my book.

Pat

Pat Scopelliti
pscopell [at] stny.rr.com