Flavio Briatore rekindled a new controversy in F1 when he criticised the sport's ruling body again for favouring Ferrari.
SUZUKA: Renault team chief Flavio Briatore on Saturday rekindled a new 'race-fixing' controversy in Formula One when he criticised the sport's ruling body again for favouring Ferrari.
The flamboyant Italian, who has suggested that races and the championship itself are fixed in previous outbursts this year at the Hungarian and Italian Grands Prix, was this time more circumspect in his criticisms.
After telling Italian television after the Monza race in September that this year's title race had been fixed "around a table" - he later said he had been misunderstood and withdrew his remarks to avoid a direct confrontation with the International Motoring Federation (FIA) - he was expected to avoid further potential trouble.
But after seeing his top driver defending world champion Fernando Alonso apparently blocked by Ferrari's Brazilian Felipe Massa during the qualifying session, Briatore could not resist a temptation to speak his mind again.
He told the British television station ITV: "Massa is the kind of guy. He is a kid. He is a little kid. Little in every sense."
Briatore was clearly incensed because at the Italian Grand Prix Alonso was penalised for allegedly blocking Massa during qualifying.
Briatore added: "Felipe was in front of Fernando, braking and everything. We will talk with Charlie (Whiting) about this. This is perfect. Today, we will tell Charlie -- but nothing will happen. We already know what the answer will be. Fernando on the radio was complaining. If you are fighting with McLaren, it is fine, but if you fight with these guys (Ferrari) it is impossible."
Race director Charlie Whiting made no initial comment about the incident.
An angry and disappointed Briatore admitted he was worried about his Renault team's modest form as they struggled to keep up with Ferrari and Toyota during the session.
"For sure we are worried, but let's see," he said. "If you see the numbers, it looks like Ferrari dominated amazingly, but then you see Toyota as well. For qualifying it was amazing, but let's see what happens tomorrow."
Briatore's outspoken remarks in Hungary went unremarked by the FIA, but following his Monza outburst the ruling body made a statement in which they said they "noted his comments" and "would investigate further."
Since then, following his retraction and explanations, no further action and no more announcements came from the FIA.
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