Briatore criticism dismissed by Brawn

[John S]

Old sourpuss Flavio is at it again, talk about bad loser.

Ross Brawn has put Flavio Briatore's stinging criticism of him down to 'emotions' after the Renault team chief hit out at the Briton for his role in Formula 1's diffuser controversy.

Briatore has been left furious about the diffuser dispute that overshadowed the build-up to the Australian Grand Prix, and is especially angry that Brawn - who is head of FOTA's technical commission - did not sort the matter out before this weekend.

The Renault boss told the Italian media: "We've known for two months that there was this problem and someone should have done something about it. I don't like the behaviour of the FOTA technical delegate, who should have reported this thing immediately.

"Brawn should have been fair. Three months ago he should have come to us to tell us there are two interpretations over the diffusers. When I go to the FIA or to [Bernie] Ecclestone, I go in the name of the FOTA, not Renault's. I don't like the fact that a FOTA representative didn't relate things transparently."

When asked by AUTOSPORT whether he was surprised about Briatore's comments, Brawn said: "I think they were a bit emotional. I think if he takes a step back and thinks about it, they were not very logical and a bit emotional.

"Clearly he's got a bit of a challenge with the team at the moment and he's firing out in every direction."

Briatore remains unhappy about the diffuser situation, however, and has echoed comments from BMW motorsport director Mario Theissen that the designs could herald a return of ground effect.

"Since Mosley became president of the FIA, each change in regulations has been done to reduce speed and to disallow a return of ground effect and mini skirts," added Briatore.

"Instead, by allowing this kind of diffuser, the possibility of obtaining an extraordinary ground effect has been allowed. What they have done isn't following the principles of the rules.

"This is an ironic situation: we had already been forced by a team to use the KERS, we've spent crazy amounts of money, we have it while that team doesn't [on Robert Kubica's car]. Going this direction, at Barcelona we'll all have ground effect, but we'll have to re-do half the car. And then they talk about cutting costs...

"With this solution you gain 14% aerodynamic load: give us a few months and we'll gain 30-40%, and the lap times will decrease by two seconds.

"The truth is that when Charlie Whiting was asked for an opinion over the legality of the solution, he wasn't told the entire truth. I think he got fooled by those bandits, the sporting directors.

"If 70% of the teams has followed an interpretation, and in this 70% there are all the teams that have won the titles in the last few years, then that must mean something, no?

"Brawn no, he has never won titles, because those were won by Jean Todt and Stefano Domenicali, Flavio Briatore and Ron Dennis. Anyway, to make us give up they have to kill us. We're going all the way."

By Jonathan Noble and Michele Lostia, Today Autosport.com

[Ian]

Talk about serious sour grapes or what

[Dare]

Brawn was never a part of MS's 7 titles

I never knew Todt played such a important role
in the design of the Ferrari's

[cosworth151]

I expect that kind of nonsense from Blabbio, but not from Mario Theissen. Perhaps he was still emotional about the Kubica - Vettel incident.

I just hope the whole thing doesn't get overturned in Paris on the 14th.

[lkjohnson1950]

My fantasy is that if the diffuser 3 are found illegal, they immediately withdraw from racing since their cars are outlawed and with the testing ban in place they cannot develop a legal replacement. Then Bernie and Max will have to explain why there are only 14 cars on the grid and why they didn't act to diffuse the situation before the season started. Flavio is clearly upset that his boys didn't think of it first. Renault have produced their 3rd straight stinker, haven't they? No wonder Alonso wants to drive for someone else (tho Ferrari isn't looking too bright at the moment either).

Lonny

[Chameleon]

Since the Sennaman has objected to constant mis-spelling of Jenson Button's first name, I feel that I can mention that the word you're looking for in this context is "defuse", not "diffuse".  "Diffuse" is not even a verb, it's an adjective (for those who remember such things from schooldays).

Sorry to point it out and you're welcome to ignore me if you wish, but I thought it worth observing that, if we start to get picky about grammar and spelling, I would be so busy pointing out errors that I wouldn't get time to comment myself.

And we all know how much we'd hate that! 

Note:  For the sake of clarity, I should stress that the last sentence is intended as self-deprecatory sarcasm only.  I really doubt that any of my comments would be missed at all!

[johnbull]

Since the Sennaman has objected to constant mis-spelling of Jenson Button's first name, I feel that I can mention that the word you're looking for in this context is "defuse", not "diffuse".  "Diffuse" is not even a verb, it's an adjective (for those who remember such things from schooldays).

Sorry to point it out and you're welcome to ignore me if you wish, but I thought it worth observing that, if we start to get picky about grammar and spelling, I would be so busy pointing out errors that I wouldn't get time to comment myself.

And we all know how much we'd hate that! 

Note:  For the sake of clarity, I should stress that the last sentence is intended as self-deprecatory sarcasm only.  I really doubt that any of my comments would be missed at all!

You want to see some of the posts in our club forum Chammy. Now there's some real lousy spelling, grammar, the lot.

Are we getting old, or what !

[Ian]

The trouble now JB is that schools don't seem to bother too much about it.

[lkjohnson1950]

It was a joke son, a play on words. Obviously a poor one.

Lonny

[Alianora La Canta]

"Diffuse" is not even a verb, it's an adjective {Chameleon - 4 comments ago}

"Diffuse" can be a verb and an adjective, depending on context. "Diffuse" as a verb means to spread out. "Diffuse" as an adjective means either the state of being spread out or long-windedness.

Though in this case, "defuse" is the correct term, meaning "to reduce tension" or "make harmless". Or it would be were it not a deliberate pun

[Ian]

SON..........you young pup Ilk

[lkjohnson1950]

Ian if you are older than I am, you are truly ancient!!

Lonny

[johnbull]

Ian if you are older than I am, you are truly ancient!!

Lonny

You mean we've got another geriatric in here !

[Ian]

Lonny, I make geriatrics look young. 

                      Ian

[cosworth151]

That's true. Ian used to babysit Methuselah.