Update: FIA will likely fight to keep Briatore ban in place

As was mentioned earlier Tuesday here at F1B, the first level of French courts have determined that the FIA has no jurisdiction to ban former Renault team principal Flavio Briatore (and former Renault engineer Pat Symonds) from all FIA-sanctioned events.  The FIA has released a statement strongly opposed to such a ruling, suggesting that it will be quite some time before this case or the controversy surrounding it comes to an end.

Despite the fact that some have thought that the new direction of the FIA under Jean Todt would keep the Formula1 governing body from appealing this appeal, it appears that they are quite willing to fight, stating, “the Court’s decision is not enforceable until the FIA’s appeal options have been exhausted.  Until then, the World Motor Sport Council’s decision continues to apply.”  So, expect Flav to still be sneaking into the 2010 paddock in a grid girl outfit, or perhaps an AirAsia stewardess get-up.

There are two more interesting points in the statement, however.  The first is the clear indication that the FIA plans to heavily stress the dangerous component of the race-fixing scandal (Piquet’s crash), rather than the unsportsmanlike conduct (Piquet’s crash to benefit Alonso), as the statement said, “the FIA’s ability to exclude those who intentionally put others’ lives at risk has never before been put into doubt.”  This may indicate either that the FIA lawyers feel that they are more likely to win an appeal by suggesting that banning Briatore from contact with racing is a safety measure and is therefore under the FIA’s jurisdiction, or that is it a clever marketing plan that removes the suggestion that Max Mosley’s grudge-holding ghost still lucks in the alleyways of Paris.  Of course, it is more likely some combination of both.

The second point is that the statement suggests a continuation of the new mentality at the FIA, with, as has been suggested, some form of licensing for team owners/principals, etc. to ensure that they remain under the FIA’s jurisdiction even after they have been removed from a team.  The statement itself is vague, saying only, “the FIA intends to consider appropriate actions to ensure that no persons who would engage, or who have engaged, in such dangerous activities or acts of intentional cheating will be allowed to participate in Formula One in the future.”  Why the FIA did not mention this problem or attempt to fix it after the 2009 Australian GP debacle with Dave Ryan and Lewis Hamilton lying to the stewards and Ryan’s (and McLaren and Hamilton’s) ability to escape punishment after having been sacked by McLaren before the WMSC hearing is another matter entirely.  The on-going drama of F1 continues.

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