Just to add a little more to my last post.

Well done Martin Brundle for speaking out, I for one have never met Martin personally but he comes across as a straight guy and IMHO is a great commentator too. I admire folk who have the courage and conviction to stand up for what they know to be right. We need many many more Martin Brundles in this very sad corrupt corporate world where money rules all particularly in sport, rather than honour and integrity which most folk would like to see back as the driving force. Way to go Martin you are number one matey.

Ray Walton, Rayong, Thailand

Irrespective of the apology McLaren have made, it is still way way overdue that the FIA should be run by qualified people with integrity and fairness. Double standards is what this sport does not need.

Manuel D'Costa, Zug, Switzerland

McLaren admit lying !!!

Mr. Brundle you owe an apology to FIA... if you have any respect for the sport then you will say sorry..

Mark Cowdrey, Birmingham, UK

I still read about F1, but I have not watched or attended for a couple of years now.
For such a multi-billion dollar sport, it does seem to be run in a rather amateurish way.
Very frustrating for the average joe

John, Adelaide, South Australia

Well, Martin, after McLaren have apologised to the FIA now, when will we read your apology?
As I said before, you are a great sport commentator, but you better left the politics to others.

Peter, Milton Keynes,

How long till the Max decides to run across the front of a grid just before the start ? Maybe he won't be quite as nimble on his feet as his role-model Balestre

Bernard McMinn, Canberra, ACT

Well done Martin. The FIA is becoming like an over-powered dictator using childish bullying tactics against anyone who disagrees with them. Hopefully, more journalists will stand up to these over-inflated egos.

Joe Benson, Frankston South, Australia

well done martin. right behind you.
get you colleagues at itv or the times to do a blockbuster expose of these clowns at the fia. i will watch how this develops with keen interest

Don, Surrey,

Having followed Formula 1 for the past 30 years I have witnessed many instances where teams have "exploited loopholes" to gain an advantage, none moreso than Ferrari and Renault (1994). How hypocritical does Mosely now have to be, he knows very well the levels these two teams have stooped to in order to continue winning. Ron Dennis is a simple man (please forgive the term) he is first and foremost a competitor and secondly and most importantly a guardian of our sport, please Ron back Martin and the rest of the British journalists who cannot afford to loose their FIA acreditation and lets get the true facts printed about the corruption that runs through the FIA and that threatens to ruin the sport. Formula 1 does not need the governance of Mosely and his corruption. The teams should own the sport and they should nominate proffesionals to administer it, Ron and Frank please speak to the journos, fund them to out the truth, resurect the GPMA.

Inside Man, Manchester,

Three cheers for Martin Brundle! He has said exactly what I have been thinking. This simmering mess is dragging down the sport that I love. I'm sure Martin can look after himself, but should he need any help, I'd cough up a few quid to help his defence as would many of his fans and supporters throughout the world.

Martin Coombes, Sydney, NSW Australia

Part of the problem with the FIA is that some – actually many – of its procedures barely pass examination as fair, balanced, transparent or democratic.

Let's focus on an example: in the real world, if someone has a vested interest in the outcome of an enquiry or any decision-making process, they normally recuse themselves from that process and – if necessary – they're replaced by a knowledgeable third party.

But, in the world of the FIA, Jean Todt gets to sit in judgement over a fellow competitor when the team that employs him is a direct beneficiary of some of the decisions. I don't care if Jean is the most honest man in the world, the perception of a conflict of interest is unavoidable.

This is a nonsense: whoever the competitor's representative is (Todt, Dennis, Williams, whoever), he/she cannot have a vote on a situation that directly impacts on their place or the place of their drivers in the championship.

Mark Solomon, Guildford, UK

Let me add another voice of congratulations to Martin for having the integrity to stick his head above the parapet and say what surely most impartial F1 fans are thinking. Like so many F1 fans around the world, I have no particular allegiance to one team, but simply appreciate good driving and competitive spirit, but I feel this decision to not punish Renault for an almost identical offence to the one that McLaren had the book thrown at them for, is just the most recent in a long line of bizarre decisions and statements to come from the FIA and Mosley over the past few years. Just ask Prodrive if they think F1 is run in a proper manner! It's not a case of Mosley persecuting McLaren or favouring Ferrari (or Renault), but more simply Mosley thinking he can do what he likes and get away with it. Surely he can hear the dissent across the world, or maybe those ivory walls are just too thick! Something needs to be done about this before the sport loses all credibility.

Charles Heath, Sheffield, UK

As has been said, what is the point of following the sport if you can longer understand what is going on.
After 33 years attending or watching I'm taking a break and maybe when Mosley is ousted, I will consider coming back.

There are plenty of other formulas to keep me occupied, it's just a shame that after sticking with F1 through so many boring years recently, it returns to being exciting and then the powers that be ruin it.

Vote with your feet

Richard, London,

Don't let Mosley intimidate you, he might be running F1 (into the ground) but under him it's becoming a laughing stock. Still what can you expect from the man who thinks that the spectacle of pitstops is a substitute for on-track overtaking.

He seems to think he's bigger than the sport but then again, he is the son of a fascist eh? I urge you all to switch to watching bike racing. They are still allowed to put on a show that's largely unaffected by a rulebook !

Bill Carr, London,

Well done Martin!

Keep up the good work and keep them "honest". Without challenge, Max (et al) will merely build on the dictatorship that the FIA has become.

Brian Cole, Lytham St Annes, UK

there is no point expecting an idiot like mosley to fall on his sword. he needs to be pushed. f1 is a joke. trying to silence the press is just desperate. and it doesn't appear to be working.

jem, london, uk

Thank you for being brave enough to speak your mind, Martin. There must be thousands of motorsport fans like myself whose jaws drop every time Mosley insults us by telling us there is no vendetta between him and Ron, or there is no pro-Ferrari bias in the FIA.

I understand in your position, you aren't able to say the things we, your readers and viewers, can, but thank you for being the first big name I have seen to stand up to the FIA. Something needs to change, fast. If it doesn't, I'll see everyone at the next A1 race!

James, Newcastle, UK

As his commentry in my opinion (It may be subjective) Martin's articles are also brilliant, honest and very unusual these days because they are 'Spin Free'. I most certainly want to support him.

Hope the paper will defend the rights of FREE PRESS and meet, in my opinion, illmanered control freaks in real court rather than 'Kangroo courts'.

Martin is a true sportsman, speaks sporting language, which upsets those for whom it is an empire building exercise.

As far as Mosley is concerned, I have no time for the son of the man who was close to Hitler. This guy is rude to even greats like Jackie Stewart, so must be confronted like his father was in Cable Street.

Has anybody thought of setting up a fund to defend Martin, the symbol of free speech? If its done this old socialist will gladly donate fiver out of his pension.

Best of luck to both Martin and Jackie Stewart. Sport needs more like you two and ofcourse the great Sterling Moss. We most certainly could do without M.Max

Paramjit Bahia, Southampton, UK

I am 61 & have followed motor sport for a very long time. What the FIA have done & the way F1 is going this year will be the last that I will follow.

colin king, brisbane, australia

Correct me if I am wrong but didn't McClaren have to retract several false statements of facts they made about the Renault episode? Perhaps the FIA knows a bit more than we're getting in the news media?

Chewy, NYC/NY, USA/NY

I agree with every word Martin. I don't believe the case will ever come to court because the FIA case would be laughed out of any real courtroom. The transcript of the MacLaren hearings shows that it was a travesty. Keep up the good work!

Peter Crosland, LANGPORT, Somerset

Simply McLaren has lost its credibility. This is the simple truth if you wish to be objective. Let me clarify this:
-Why did they deliberately fake the information against Renault? Why did they release a report to the press almost full of lies! So FIA decide to teach a lesson to McLaren and the other spin doctors! I was wondering if McLaren Boss have ever considered to employee the spin doctors used by Tony Blair in the case of Iraq!! They mighty have actually done it considfering the results

Peter, London,

It's clear that the spying situation this year has been nothing short of a very inconsistent mess with no clarity in regards to the rules.
It is my opinion then that i feel the rules should be changed, omitting whatever the article 151(c) saids. This would then put the onus on the teams to ensure that the engineers sign a confidentiality clause. As it seems clear this year you can't try and stop "transfer" of information. This would then make the individuals accountable for their actions rather than the teams. With significant penalty's for this it would help deter engineers sharing drawings and information. I have personally been working in engineering industry now for 5 years and i have always had to sign such a clause. I am immensely surprised that f1 teams don't do this.

Rory, Redditch, England

As a motorsport fan for over 40 years I fully support Martin Brundle, and the Sunday Times, in the right to criticise the actions of Max Moseley (& therefore the FIA)- in particular this year of their handling of the various alledged spying/coping of information between teams. I sincerely hope it goes to court and a lot of dirty washing is put in the public domain. Max Moseley is so arrogant and- although he is supposed to be clever many of his comments are ill-judged and obvioulsy not thought through- or perhaps they are for effect!! He seems to be the antitheses of a fair-minded British person. I firmly believe he his single-handedly bringing motosport into far more disrepute than any other inciden/person in the ppast 5 years. Perhaps the disgusting comments made by Max Moseley about Sir Jackie Stewart go back to the days when- briefly- Jackie & the late great Ken Tyrell briefly used a March chassis without much success and had to drop it & make their own?

D Jacklin, Leicester,

The FIA has in the past has charged teams or drivers for bringing the sport in to disrepute. I have never seen anyone in any form of sport more guilty of this than Max Mosley.

We have just had one of the best seasons in years yet I personally feel extremely disillusioned with the sport because of Mosley's unjustified actions against Mclaren.

This may be totally misguided, but is it a coincidence that Mclaren employ the first black driver in F-1, then have to deal with Mosley's wrath, yet Renault face no charge? Maybe Max inherited some of his fathers ideologies.

Matt Melvin, London, United Kingdom

It's hard to be sympathetic with McLaren given their massive misrepresentation campaign during both "spying" cases.

Furthermore, considering the non-effort that Mosley put into investigating the McLaren case (having Alonso and the police in Italy do he work for him) it is quite rich to call the proceedings a witch-hunt.

Perhaps, just perhaps, there is a slight possibility that the difference in verdicts is not a case of Mosley pursuing one team which well supported round these parts (and zero support for Renault despite their case fitting Stewart's description), but rather a result of having information gathered by various sources that indicates the difference in severity of both cases.

Instead of snickering at the verdicts, i'd rather have some investigative effort, even if the results might put certain people in a less favorable light. But then again it's easier to play victim should FIA make the accreditation process difficult instead of not being invited to McLaren's debriefs.

T, Springfield,

Bravo Martin

I appalud your bravery and integrity in bringing the somewhat shady dealings of the F1 administration into the public arena. My concern is that although all F1 fans 'know' there to be a great deal of truth to your article, with British libel law being as it is we are likely to see a re-run of the Maxwell vs Private Eye case; which allowed Maxwell (guilty as sin) to take Mr Hislop, and ultimately a few hundred Daily Mirror pensioners, to the cleaners.This will only bolster the arrogance of the FIA to the further detriment of the sport.

Don't these self serving people realise that their actions are turning people off the sport in their droves? Or do they indeed care?

Rad Ainley, Sunderland, UK

Martin - you have my full support, and the support of everyone I have spoken to on this issue. A dissenting voice needs to be presented to the FIA.

The draconian reign of Moseley has now filtered out of the sport, and into the public consciousness. We are tired of courtroom hearings. Race results are no longer trusted by the public. "...but was the fuel too cold? Too hot?" - "That nifty new suspension... is it Renault's? Mclaren's? Spyker's? Will it be challenged?" It seems F1 is no longer a sport, but technical evolution gone crazy, where liturgation is just another 'selective pressure' to a win.

What purpose the hollow victories of Hamilton and Alonso in the drivers' championship after the FIA's decision to allow them to keep their points? I am a big fan of Mclaren and Ferrari, but if the Mclaren car was not legal, how could the drivers' points be, irrespectve of 'not wanting to deprive the fans of a great season'?

The Renault decision is incredulous.

A fact is a fact.

Chris, UK,

I agree 100% with Martin Brundle, 100%.
I hope the Times does not capitulate and continues to probe the unjust way the FIA govern the sport (is a sport any more)?
Bring it on to open court and the world will see how the FIA has become corrupt with its governance, bring it on.

One question that really does puzzle me is why Oh Why didn't McLaren appeal the unfair fine? Will they do it now that Renault have been let off?

Dale, Wokinham, UK

As one of a small American F1 fan base I would say the following to Max. With the highly profitable and wildly popular (not to mention well run) sports most Americans watch and enjoy the intrusive and seemingly personal vendetta toward McLaren illustrate exactly why Formula 1 has a difficult time growing in the U.S.A.. Let the sport stand on it's own merits, and keep your bureaucratic B.S. out of the paddock. The worlds most advanced racing cars and the best drivers on the planet are what really matter- not the fact that Max takes himself entirely too seriously. Spying and poaching has been taking place in racing since racing began and will continue on varying scales as long as racing exists. The key is that it's enforcement has to have fitting penalties and consistent application.
Martin- keep taking them to task for all the fraud they perpetrate on the motor sport fans of the world. I am standing up with you.

Ryan, Layton, UT, USA

same old story one rule for one one rule for another !!! punishment should be the same for all teams
but fair play to Martin I am sure 100% of the fans are behind him he says it how it is
Unless thats a crime ??? what on earth are these idiots playing at they have a billion pound buisness and are determined to ruin it for all
good luck Martin the fans are with you

Ian Hatton, Derby , England

What a shambles. I am not surprised at the way the FIA has handled this issue, we have seen double standards in F1 for many years but these seemed to be by race stewards at race meetings. When Max took over from Balestre most people including myself were pleased that the dictatorship was coming to an end, but we are back in another chapter of the soap opera that is the "FIA". When is "THE" governing body of motorsport going to start acting like a respectable organisation that makes good consistant decisions.

As for the handling of the media, they need to be carefull when going down this route of writs and censure. We live in a world of free speech and this starting to look more like the KGB than the FIA. I fully understand and support Martin's view and critisism of the FIA , it will be very interesting to see what happens next year. Will Martin be in Melbourne?.

This must be a dictatorship, How can so many people make so many bad desisions!. I feel sick to my stomach

Dave James, Hemel Hempstead,

Can't agree with you more!!!
Max is afraid of people like you who knows F1 inside out. Fia has a hidden agenda that promote Ferrari at the top level. But someday the truth will emerge and I'm sure that heads will be axed from the tops at Fia.

IAN CIANGURA, MALTA, MALTA

I applaud the Sunday Times for writing the truth.

Without the media correctly informing the rest of the world Max Mosley and the FIA will be able to continue with their scandalous witch-hunt without any questions being asked and justice will never be done. The FIA is wholly unfit to control a major sport.

I hope this goes to court so that Max Mosley is exposed as the crook and liar that he is. When he loses, he will have to resign as FIA President. Ron Dennis will have a strong case for recovering the $100 million fine, he can also sue for defamation and have all those grossly dishonourable decisions, which cruelly robbed his team of both championships, reversed.

The appointment of Jackie Stewart as the new FIA President would come as a refreshing change and finally restore integrity to an institution riddled with corruption.

Peter Williams, London,

Well done Martin for saying what most F1 fans have been thinking. I have been an F1 fan since the early 70s, watching every race. After the last season, when we had some of the best races for years, why am I thinking that maybe I won't bother any more? Max and the FIA are turning the hard core fan away from F1 with all their shenanigans, and once people stop pwatching, the money will stop rolling in. Since big business got involved, and the likes of Colin Chapman made way for Mercedes, Toyota, Renault et al, the money has been at the root of F1.

Good Luck fighting the writ, I've just been and signed the petition too!

Dave Mitchell, Kettering, UK

Well said Martin
Its about time someone stood up to the FIA epecially as Mclaren have had their hands tied by the timing of scrutiny of their 2008 car! With Mosley's constant attack at Mclaren and Bernie's endless critisism of Silverstone all this will do is have an adverse effect on F1 in the UK and these two guys have got to remember what a massive input the UK put into F1 from grass roots through to the very top!
What I would like to know is if Coughlan and Stepney ever go to a proper civil court and are found not guilty of any wrong doing wont this make the FIA case a farce, surely they should have waited for this outcome before pursuing Mclaren!

B Payne, leicester, leicestershire

Forza Brundle !

This is great news, hopefully it will be Mad Max's undoing, the straw that broke the Camel's back.

Moseley has, in my opinion, clearly lost the plot and gone way too far in his personal Witch Hunt against McLaren. Let us all hope his deluded arrogance and bullying is his undoing, this situation cannot go on.

alex, london, uk

Everyone is entitled to there view on the results of the various hearings between McMerc, Ferrari and Renault. They are also entitled to voice those opinions, it called Free Speech.

It seems to me that Max's ire at the comments made by both Martin and JYS because he is embarrassed that he's been found out. He seems to think that he is the FIA and as such is above questioning. And if for no other reason that is why Max has to go, so the sport we all love can restore its credibility.

I hope this goes to court, and that JYS decides to pursue Max for his defamatory comments. Then once Max has lost both cases the FIA can charge him with bringing the sport into desrepute. That hopefully will be the final nail in Max's coffin and the FIA will have no choice but to get rid of him.

Ian Underhill, Howell, Michigan, USA

My credentials are not as vast as Martin's but I have been an avid F1 fan since 1965. I've been to over 30 GP's in person, not missed a TV broadcast since 1985 and am a die-hard-blood-red 100% Ferrari fanatic. I've never liked McLaren and especially Ron Dennis but.......

.....this stinks to high heaven. I thought the Renault decision was shocking. Clearly, Mad Max has lost all sense of fair play. If Renault were as guilty as McLaren, then fine them like McLaren.

This is so clearly now a personal vendetta against McLaren and Ron Dennis that the FIA needs to send Mosley off to the garden.

F1 is blind if they think this isn't hurting the sport. We need new blood at the top who will "rule" with clarity and a sense of fairness for all teams and drivers.

Although I still will cheer for Ferrari, fight the good fight Ron, bring Mac back to the top and then stick a finger in Max's eye.

David , Littleton, Colorado - USA

Lets be honest here, the FIA are already a laughing stock amongst the average fan - at least the ones I have spoken to. And Mosely isn't known as Mad Max for nothing.

The writ does nothing but reaffirm this point. All it does is draw further attention to an already cloudy chapter in F1 history. Bravo FIA.

Simon Batchelor, Swindon, UK

If only the motor sport press had a few more tenacious reporters like yourself among their number, then the FIA might be forced to make more of an effort to achieve consistency in their judgements from time to time. It's difficult to remember the last championship that wasn't decided by the action - or equally conspicuous inaction - of the governing body.

Kev, York,

I agree with Martin's comments in his article and think the FIA are now showing cracks in public which Max is trying to cover over by launching legal action. I cannot think of many people with more ties and a stronger passion for F1 than Brundle, so why would he fabricate things for a story? If he is hampered in his carrying out of commentary duties, it merely shows how the governing body is banning freedom of speech to protect its bias behaviour and untouchable status.

Luke, London,

From the outside, and an impartial distance away, this entire matter seems, at the very least, disproportionate. The verdict against McLaren seemed, even to the casual viewer, much more than a bit excessive; but with the the guilty finding, WITHOUT punishment, against Renault, what is one left to think? The FIA seems to be telling the French team, indeed the rest of the F1 community, "you can rob the bank, and it is OK, as long as you don't spend the money.....and in fact, you don't have to return the money.....unless someone asks for it."

And, on top of this issue, they are now attempting to claim they have been defamed by an editorial article, expressing the informed OPINION of an expert in this field.

Can one help but believe that the FIA has some... OTHER AGENDA...driving this matter.

Harold, Burns, Oregon, USA

I have attended 52 Grand Prix over the years.
Including Austria 2002 (where I risked being lynched by booing the fixed result, amongst an army of Shumi hatted german speakers (who suddenly felt an urgent need to look at their shoes)
But too many things now seem a bit difficult to really understand:
1. Why the FIA did not await the court legal proesses to run their courses before these inconsistent rushed judgements.
2. Why Toyota did not suffer any FIA sanction when their staff were jailed (after legal processes had run their courses) for using Ferrari designs.
3. Why Ferrari were not taken to task for poor security. In the UK financial services industry, the FSA would likely do so in circumstances of poor security
4. Who would benefit most by Mclaren having to run their 2007 car in 2008 (as now seems possible).
5. What actual evidence exists that McLaren lied.
6. Lewis's race in Brazil
7. I will not buy any tickets for a 2008 Grand Prix until I understand these questions.

Graham Beevers, Hatfield, UK

Brundle is bang on. I hope this gathers momentum and other dissenting voices will speak out. The treatment meted out to McLaren has been shameful. Frankly, the whole thing has been a fiasco: McLaren should never have been charged in the first place. Add to that the hypocrisy of letting Renault walk free on basis, it seems, that Flavio is liked where Ron is envied and that Renault's boss can't commit to anything for more than 5 minutes. Even if all were kosher, you have to question the competence of an organisation which cannot take criticism. Surely the time has come for Max to step down?

Stephen, Scotland,

I have never read such inane comments in my life, as I read here.. No one has seen all the information supplied to the FIA. The FIA judges came from all over the world, and base their finding upon the evidence before them, and not what the likes of wannabees tell us in the columns.
Martin Brundle was a failure as a F1 driver. The top F1 drivers make no comments about the FIA as they are not being paid a fortune by the media, both in The Times on Sunday and on ITV, to make accusations that have no foundation.
As for Martin Brundle being compared to Murray Walker, I have to say Walker made more commentary errors than any other person since Tv was invented.
I hope the FIA win.

P.Nobleza, Houston, USA

Martin, you have my support all the way from Australia. We get your commentary here and I have always felt you provide a non biased, well informed view on all things F1.

I seriously feel that the FIA is now spinning out of control, with no one at the controls. F1 needs to become a fan based sport more like, dare I say it - NASCAR, and not one controlled by the petty indifferences of one warped dictator.

Keep telling it like it is Martin and the truth shall prevail.

Alex, Newcastle, Australia

Mr. Brundle is quite correct in his judging of fan reaction to the FIA's recent actions. The fact that McLaren was punished so harshly, while both Renault and Toyota got away scot free for the same infraction proves the FIA's bias. The fans cannot help but feel that the FIA (and, therefor Mr. Mosley) are not treating the teams with an even hand.

This apparent favoritism, together with the threats to races in the U.K., the U.S., France and other tranditional F1 fan base countries, will drive more and more fans away from the sport. Will the sponsors be far behind?

Ed Moore, Lancaster, Ohio, USA

You are entitled to your opinion, Marin, and your contribution to F1 is second to none.
But on this one common sense has let you down. How could you accuse the governing body of the sport of a witch-hunt BEFORE the second hearing? Doing that you have said that there is in reality no case of espionage and it is all about deliberate harassment of political opponents.
As a journalist you will know your duties and there are differences between personal opinion and journalistic freedom.
You cannot now distract from your article by bringing up the decision from the second hearing and all the other things that happened after your article. You have made defamatory comments about the FIA hearing without knowing what the new evidence was. I understand that the FIA finds this unacceptable.
I think however this was a one off, and unlike you, you were jumping on a bandwagon of political pre-judice. Take it on the chin and do what you are good at, the sport, but leave the politics for others.

Peter, Milton Keynes,

Martin
Well done. Freedom of speech is something the civilised societies hold dear and Max seems to have lost the ability to be sensible and balanced. Wasn't he the person that uttered an appalling verbal (and personal) attack on Sir Jackie yet when the FIA and Max are questioned they head straight to court.

I have to say that I am now fed up of the whole situation. F1 has been such a great sport for me ever since, as a nine year old, I got the opportunity to sit in Jackie's championsip winning Tyrrell and watching yourself and Derek Warwick graduate from the Spedeworth stock car environment into the glamorous world of F1. But I am now so sick and tired of the politics that I can no longer waste my time watching the races with the knowledge that decisions will be overturned to make sure the red team wins. I like my sport to be just that - sport. The FIA are doing a very poor job at governing and are throwing their weight (and McLaren's money) around too much. Time for a change.

Bill Bryant, Brisbane, Australia

At last. At very long last. Thank you Martin.

After reading the Renault verdict and the deferred MP4-23 decision, I thought to myself, 'mad Max wants to try and cripple McLaren by inhibiting their design when the 'independent investigators' inevitably claim Ferrari ideas within the car '. Then they wouldn't perform next year having had to redesign and lo and behold it would seem like they had gained an 'advantage' because 07 they were fast and 08 they are not.

I was well on my way to giving up my beloved sport for a few years but you give me hope....and hope's often the last resource available to man.

Jonathan C., Toronto,

This is to address the claims that McLaren weren't initially punished.

On the first hearing, the FIA accepted that the team was in breach of the rules and guilty but did not impose a penalty. This was mainly because they accepted the team's claim that the information wasn't disseminated to others and was limited to one rogue employee. It was only later that the truth came out and they were given the penalty. And Renault were the loudest protesters against McLaren then.

Renault have had this information for over 1 year, and no, they did not tell the FIA. The information was presented to FIA by McLaren, who came to know about it from a former Renault engineer who went to work for them.

Renault had these plans and details on their IT system and 6 engineers saw the data (see the FIA site for details).

The FIA claim that there is no proof that the data was used, but they didn't prove McLaren had either. What facts have caused the difference in punishment? The FIA fail to make the case

R Sharma, London, UK

well done Martin, your one of the few journalists that has the background to comment on these developments.

Max, in my opinion has lost the plot, and FIA continues to act in an incompentant manner. I've been an F! fan for over 30 years and I dispair at the current administration and what they are doing to F1.

Ken Blowing, Gloucester, UK

B.Martin, I support your view. Formula one has a rule. No team is above the rule. Arbitrary rule is witch-hunting.

SAM, Castellon, Spain

As a motorsports journalist for over 40 years I know from personal experience where Mr. Brundle is coming from. This is basically a matter of freedom of the press. Brundle at no point has defamed either Mosley or the FIA. They are merely using their deep pockets to harass Brundle and anyone else who has the temerity to question their judgment. This is what powerful companies and groups do -- because they can. Basically, they are retaliating against someone who has done little more than point out the ludicrous nature of their punishing one transgressor while allowing another off completely without punishment.

If Mr. Mosley's published comments about Lewis Hamilton weren't enough to disqualify him from a leadership position, I don't know what would.

Brundle should receive a public apology, which Mosley should read aloud just before he heads out the door into an undeserved life of retirement ease.

Jon Asher, Glorieta, New Mexico, USA

Glad to see totalitarianism runs in the family. First Jackie Stewart, now Martin Brundel. Good luck Martin!

OM, Cable Street,

Amongst the many shocking things to come from this latest Ferrari Investment Agency ruling is that no one is truly shocked. The concensus before the hearing was that Renault would not be punished. No way no how. How can Mad Max possibly remain in his position?

David Rotor, Kanata, Canada

Mr. Brundle's expertise and insightful reasoning notwithstanding, he is also a driver's rep, isn't he? As such, he plays a cool hand to teams where he sees his clients having a possibility of securing a drive, including McLaren.
From what I have read so far in specialized motorsports print media weeklies and monthlies, I am yet to read a completely objective piece on the McLaren affair with stolen property belonging to another team, where no one has dared to say what needs to be said: that regardless of Ferrari's over-the-top moral standing, McLaren intended to use the stolen information in several occasions.
Yes, Ferrari plays a savvy political game with the FIA and are best positioned to influence policy and decisions in F1. That is part of the global corporate business world. But to think that one team can influence a worldwide group of people in coming up with a decision is preposterous and baseless.
From here in the US, it sounds more like sour grapes.

Giorgio Cerboncini, Miami, Fl, USA

Martin,

I will join the previous readers in my support of not just your articles but your right to print them.

The FIA's decision seems very odd but I did wonder why they went after McLaren in the first place. Or why they punished Alonso for the the pit-lane issue with his team-mate, yet did nothing when his involvement in the whole fiasco was uncovered.

Then there are the other decision the FIA have made in the name of cost savings. The tyre rules were changed in order to make them last the whole race-distance (to save money, we were told). This must have cost a fortune to achieve, only for the rules to change again and new tyres had to be produced. Same with engines: save cost hence an engine had to last a race weekend, then two races. They then changed the engine size. Now they have forced a standard ECU forcing more spend to incorporate a third-party design. Forcing a 10-year ban on engines is also contrary to what is required.

The FIA is nothing more than a Mickey Mouse Club.

R Sharma, London, UK

Lets hope the FIA go to court.. I would love to see them pulled to pieces in an environment they dont control.

Paul ffelan, Wilsden,

The problem with F1 is that everyone has there own agenda, and we all (including you Martin) are blind to the bigger picture. It is wrong for Mosely to criticise people in the way he has. It is also wrong for Ecclestone to openly endorse Hamilton as his favoured champion. But we only choose to criticise what suits us.
On this issue, I seem to remember that no penalty was levelled at McLaren after the first hearing, so it could be said that the FIA was being entirely consistent. It was only after the emergence of further evidence, (namely Alonso breaking ranks) that McLaren were fined.
Secondly, Renault were the ones who brought this to the attention of the FIA, and co-operated fully. McLaren denied all knowledge, and to this day aver that almost everyone in the team knew nothing about this.
So it could be claimed that there is a difference between the cases in terms of both evidence, and attitude of the defendants. Both of which would be taken into account by any reasonable judge.

Tony, Sheffield,

Martin writes well and says what most people think. He is an excellent commentator too. He has my full support.

jantaphan, oxford,

This is one court case I want to happen I beleive the FIA & WMSC will suffer in court. Bernie and Max taking the stand where they don't make the rules for themselves, It won't happen. It has in my opinion been designed to shut the journalistic community up.

Graeme, Kilmarnock, Scotland

Hi Martin, It's people like you that we need in F1. Not afraid to speak your mind. Good on you Martin, and keep up the excellent work.

Gordon Frew, Wells, Somerset

Grand Prix WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP!

Richard Mee, Cambridge, UK

I too hope Martins News paper bosses support and take on the FIA and in particular Mosley, who I believe, thinks he is the FIA. He certainly uses his possition in that dumping ground for mediocrity (FIA) to Harrang anyone he disagrees with. He should put up and shut up and stop using his possition as a vehicle to to insult and abuse individuals who speak out about him and his bunch of has been cronies. All in that organaisation are as bad as each other as they should have gagged Mosley, knowing that his very background alone would reap critiscm once he started his machine gun aproach to cull ihis enemies. It has brought the FIA into disrepute with the general public and Its a pity they are probably too thick skinned to care, but at least they can be in doubt as to the feeling against them. I hope Jacky Stewart wades in with MacLaren in concert with Martin Brundle and brings about some retribution against this now disreputable organisation.

Grasshopper

Grasshopper, Harrogate, UK

lonely in that castle on high wearing red i guess

whatever happened to freedom of speech

i APPLAUD Martin Brundle for having the guts to say out loud what nearly every intelligent motor racing (not just F1) fan is thinking

such a great season ruined by such a farce and still it goes on

all i can say to fellow fans is vote with your feet and fingers and SWITCH OFF for a season

leave em to it if they want it all their own way so bad

darren james, cheltenham, glos UK

The FIA need to realise they can't just conduct a PR job to massage the image of F1 all the time. Sometimes they actually have to be fair too.

Chris Card, Slough, UK

The FIA is fast running out of credibility - how can they expect to be taken seriously when they act in the way that they have over the whole spygate saga. As a long time fan of formula one I am completely fed up with the whole business of washing their dirty linen in public and acting in such an un evenhanded way that it screams of a wich hunt.

Well done Martin for having the guts to tell it as it is - The FIA is acting like a politician in their third term - they have started to believe their own publicity and spin, and completely lost site of what is happening in the real world.

Richard, Hereford, UK

Martin, you are a hero. The heads of F1 have clearly shown that they are unwilling to apply the rules fairly. Every man and his dog can see that. It is a shame that they are willing to devalue their own sport. F1 doesn't need that. I hope in 2008 they stop pratting around and let the drivers get on with it.

julian, shrewsbury, uk

Martin, How can you be so hypocritical?. Speaking of doubles rules, but they enacted to Alonso in Hungary if not breached any rule of procedure?, And when Hamilton went unpunished in Japan with their maneuvers behind the safety-?, And to Hamilton when he pulled a crane on track ?, etc.. Then I heard you not say anything about doubles rules. If you want someone to take into consideration what you say you must be consistent. That we are not stupid. Certainly I have not seen it say in the article that originally Mclaren went without penalty but being guilty, or even remember what you forget.

David, Toledo, Spain

Three cheers for Martin. Someone has to speak for the motor racing fan.

As hard as it is for me to say I agree with Bernie Ecclestone on this issue. When the legality of teams posessing and using other teams information comes up file charges and let a valid court decide the issue.

The FIA has made it clear they are not capable of passing an unbiased judgment on this subject.

Mike Hickey, Phoenix, AZ

Put simply, the FIA are going to find it nearly impossible to explain their viewpoint in a way which satisfies the court. While I admit that the FIA probably aren't on a witch-hunt, I think that is because a witch-hunt requires a greater ability to see consequences and organise matters than the FIA is currently capable of doing. Somehow, I doubt the FIA will try to use this defence in court, and I can't see any more benevolent defence it has.

The case will reveal certain weaknesses in the FIA's modus operandi, and even if The Sunday Times and Martin Brundle lose this appeal, I think it will result in the FIA getting prosecuted in a real court for its behaviour (probably an EU one under international commercial law). From this one story sneaked under the radar of the FIA's busy Friday, the FIA could be forced to completely change the way it governs motor sport.

Martin, I think you are about to do Formula 1 a huge favour. Thank you very much.

Alianora La Canta, Chesterfield, Derbyshire

What an excellent piece, Martin, well done for having the balls to search for the answers. As a passionate fan of motorsport, I feel that these critical issues cannot go unresolved without seriously damaging F1. I also realise how you have compromised yourself within 'the establishment' by writing about the facts and the situation as you see it from a qualified standpoint. That's called good journalism and nobody should be suprised that it came from a racer who drove with a 'never-say-die' attitude.

Whatever the facts are, there is nothing new about 'escaping data' and, in this way, all the teams should be in court! F1's mis-management and double standards, however, have served only to provide global negativity. It's come to something when teams have to win titles in the courtroom instead of on the track.

After electronic aids, let's move to get rid of the lawyers... and there's maybe a few 'decision makers' that need to be retired away too.

See 'em in court, Martin.

David James, Imola, Italy

Well done Martin! Keep up the good work.

I have been a long time F1-fan but seeing this odd behaviour from FIA makes me wonder if I shouldn't follow my friends to the golfcourse on sunday afternoons instead of seeing something that seems to be ruled by FIA:s own mystic dark rules.

Staffan, Malmo, Sweden

Go Martin!

Anyone who loves the sport is right behind you. The issues of governance by the FIA need to be questioned and I hope (albeit optimistically), that the groundswell of anger and dissatisfaction now gives the sport an opportunity to put its house in order. These issues go beyond individual team or driver alleigances and need to be fixed quickly - otherwise 2008 will be a hollow championship indeed.

Steve Taylor, Farnham, UK

Step aside Mel Gibson, Mad Max is a true to life figure!!!!!!! Go for it Martin, the FIA and Ferrari have ruined this years F1 season.

Jed

jed, Devon,

The FIA must be held acountable for its duplicity!

Peter Ragonetti, Brooklyn, NY

I just hope the backlash to this outrageously self serving decision is sufficient to bring about a restructure of the moribund FIA and bring in into the third millenium.

Screaming if need be as it is well overdue.

That such an internationaly well regarded sport is managed so badly is scandalous.

I would dearly love to see Max take Martin and 'The Times' to court. Without a judge and jury of sycophants and cronies, the searching analysis a real court will bring to bear on Max MOSLEY and the FIA's machinations will make them objects of global condemnation.

Perhaps Formula One would then be able to return to its former glory. I hope so as it now stands in tatters as an international laughing stock.

I salute Martin BRUNDLE and 'The Times' for having the gumption and moral courage to tackle this too 'sacred cow' and for articulating for me my disgust, dismay, outrage and utter frustration at this 'convenient' decision. Thank you for this forum to air my opinion.

Bruce Elton FOULDS, Helensvale, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

It seems to me that not only Mr Mosley but several other people in Formula 1 have old scores to settle with Mr Dennis, and this is having a marked impact on the penalties in these recent cases. Also the way that the judgement is decided upon by a panel containing the team making the allegations can not be considered a fair way of justice.
I feel sure that like myself many other long term enthusiasts of Formula 1 all over the world will feel that the FIA are not being fair over these matters.
What Martin Brundle has reported seems fair comment to me as does recent remarks by Sir Jackie Stewart on these matters.

Trevor Greenwood, Vancouver, Canada

I'm a fan of Formula One and I'm in Chicago, Illinois, USA.

I'm a fan of Martin Brundle, I remember your crash at Monaco in the lower ranks and remember your career vividly. I always had respect for you, but you have just added another level...

I absolutely agree with you and the Times. Stand your ground. The FIA are wrong.

Hey, but at least we know what they are spending McLaren's fine on... Their lawyers and their forthcoming settlement with the Times.

Tim Wheatley, Chicago, United States

Bernie, are you listening to popular consent?

Steve, Carlise,

Money, money, money, money, money, money, money and..erm..oh yes - money !.

Pete, Hull,

Well done Martin - speaking as a flong-time fan of F1, your articles echo exactly how I feel. I don't want to see one of the top teams destroyed by what appears to be personal conflicts, and I don't want to see my favourite sport destroyed by those at the top. It seems some people want F1 to become so stage-managed as to lose all value whatsoever.

Rob O'Connor, Twickenham, UK

The FIA is blatantly getting even with Ron Dennis and McLaren for daring to propose a breakaway series. The recent decisions made are so bizarre the FIA can have little credibility left. Well done to Martin for standing up to them.

C MacInnes, Edinburgh, UK

Funny enough, nobody here remembers that Mclaren was initially not punished for being in possesion of much more comprehensive Ferrari information.

Mclaren should've been more honest.

An engineer cannot un-learn everything he knows when he moves teams, but stealing information from another team's engineer while lying about it, is 2 very different Situations

Cailan, Johannesburg, South Africa

Well done Martin. Say it like you drove it, with integrity and passion.

sk, London,

THANK YOU MARTIN!!!

I had the pleasure of meeting you some years ago when you were driving and I admired your "frankness" then, my respect has increased ten fold now, I would bet that if you put an online poll of whether people support your views on this I would you have the support.

Mosley should step down or flat out be fired, how many teams have been punished for "bringing the sport into disrepute" what is he and the FIA doing?

Paul Martin, Spr, USA / Missouri

Just to express my support for Martin Brudle. How can it be right that Reggie is not examined to see no McLaren data is on the 2008 car? It is quite clear that there is one rule for Ferrari, (just let the FIA know what you want) and one for Mclaren (you are guilty of anything you are accused of and any other team is innocent)

Issuing legal proceedings against The Times and Brundle just about sums up Mosley, there is only one person entitled to free speech in this matter; mad Max!

SD, london, londonn

Well done Martin for standing up and saying what apparently the majority of fans are thinking. It is time that the FiA et al were held accountable. I would hope that the BRDC, the Sunday Times and the ITV F1 crew will give you every support in this matter, should the FiA actually take you to court.

Whatever is driving Max Mosley and the FiA it is certainly NOT a desire, as he puts it, for "a fair and level playing field", otherwise Renault would have been fined, and the car inspected for IP use.

Sadly the 'sport' only seems concerned with money these days and not with racing.

Gary, Bridlington, UK

MB tells it like it is! Thankfully he has the guts to say what most right minded F1 fans are thinking and the platform from which to launch from. It is about time Mr Mosley retired. Perhaps Martin could take his place on the FIA. How about it Martin? If McLaren are not allowed to race next year we certainly won't be watching. Just give the Championship to Ferrari now.

Sandra Bennison, Ware, Herts

The reality of this all is people seem to have lost sight of the key point - a team doesn't have to make use of another's designs etc to be in breach of the sporting code - they only need to be in possession of them. Renault was in possession of McLaren design info for almost an entire year before something was done about it. that alone warrants a penalty.

Likewise, prior to viewing the info the engineers at Renault didn't know the usefulness of the info - for all they knew they were about to look at the golden key to McLaren's speed.

The message here from the WMC/FIA is you can have other team's info as long as you can prove you didn't use it.

Max Mosley's lack of legal (FIA's laws) justification on this topic is especially laughable since he's often slated others for their legal standpoints.

Rob, Auckland, New Zealand

Thank you Martin for not being silenced. It is one thing to spea up once, quite another to continue under opposing pressure such as now.

You know what is wrong in the sport so I won't go on much further, except to say thank you again and continue doing what you do.

You have a lot of support from the fans.

Matthew Clayton, Manchester,

Martin Brundle is the most coherent F1 commentator/ journalist I have listened/read in over 40 years of following the sport.

There are so many facets I would change but the rule book is at the top. Motor sport, which is unfortunately tightly governed by the FIA needs to loosen it’s rather anal grip on the technical regulations and bring a more freedom into car design.

Do we need a ‘nanny’ FIA? The FIA needs to change itself from within and Mr Mosley resigning would be a good start. Removing the opportunity for an FIA president to extend his presidency must be stopped. This is not Pakistan or Russia.
However, these changes are very unlikely as Mr Mosley is ensconced in the FIA white tower, counting the McLaren windfall millions and looking ever more powerful. Formula One, if it continues on it’s present trajectory may well come to rest in a large gravel trap of it’s own making.

M Brundle carries the hopes and desires of the F1 world with him. We are with you all the way Martin.

Mike Baldock, Colchester, UK

Martin Brundle is a knowledgeable, compentant commentator regarding the sport of F1. His comments and perceptions should be taken in a serious vein. They are his considered opinions and, in my humble opinion, not anyway near libelious. To take him and his publisher to court over the matter just shows how petty and clueless the FIA and Max Mosely really are. The obvious unfairness of the FIA's decision regarding Renault is a shameful act and should be disowned by every motor racing fan, journalist, driver, support staff, manufacturer, sponsor and broadcaster. The FIA is leading the sport to the gallows. Won't all concerned please step up and let their feeling be known?

Don Watters, Omaha, Nebraska, USA

Martin , you have my full agreement and support . Someone needed to highlight the questionable nature of many of the decisions made by the FIA . Thanks for having the courage to say what needed to be said.

There needs to be a review of the way the F1 is governed before its too late.

As a long time fan I want to see the return of F1 as a sport.

Sandra, Glasgow,

I totally support Martin Brundle's view on this Kangaroo Court attitude of the FIA. It is destroying the sport of F1. Who knows, maybe this will contribute to the formation of a rival series? With no FIA and no Bernie Ecclestone maybe there would be some actual RACING to see who wins, not who can afford the best lawyers! All this spin and vitriol is putting serious doubt on whether I bother with F1 next season or go over to WRC. If the ten year ban on engine development is brought into force, that WILL be the end of F1 as far as I, and I'm sure many others, am concerned.

Nigel A. Buckley, Uppingham, Rutland, U.K.

Isn't it about time Max Mosley stood down? How do you organise a motion of no confidence?

Gary Bennison, Ware, Herts

The suit is really a blessing because in discovery and at trial, Mosley will finally be forced to give sworn testimony.

Patrick, Winnipeg, Canada

renault are as guilty as mclaren and as such should recieve
a similiar penalty. the fia seem to act like a dictatorship in most rulings, especially where ferrari are concerned.

P Tully, huddersfield, yorks

Martin Brundle for FIA President!

Or you can commentate for Speed in the US - i've been living in Florida for 4 years and I miss your commentary!!!!!!!

Dai, Zephyrhills, United States

max mosley must be replaced, no debate !

rick m, auckland, nz

I'm predicting that via the usual interference mechanisms Ferrari will "win" next year anyway now. McLaren should throw the championship themselves (rather than let Ferrari/Moseley "beat them" off the track again) and turn up on the grid next season with the nearest thing to a clowns car that they can within the rules, stating that they feared being too similar to a Ferrari design. That would be fantastic.

Mark, London,

Peter
I assume that by "resign their positions' you mean their positions within the FIA. If so, this does not come across clearly enough.
I think I agree with your sentiment but cannot sign as the petition is misleading.

Whooshka, ROTHERHAM, UK

Like many exceptionally powerful people the FIA has become so totally corrupt that they can't see how out of touch they are. They are interested in getting races from countries who want to put themselves on the map and are willing to pay silly money to do so. They couldn't care less about who actually goes through the turnstiles to see the races.

All empires eventually fall and this one will unless the crooks (and that's what they are) are ousted by the manufacturers and sponsors. Can Renault, FIAT, BMW et al really want to be associated with the likes of Mosley, Briatore and Ecclestone for much longer?

Richard Williams, London, UK

Good on you Martin...
Good on you for using the position of respect you have earned in the F1 community to speak out in defence of the sport you love...
If only Mr. Mosley would do the same, instead he seems more and more prone to using his position as a platform from which to deal out his usual petty, childish and insulting personal attacks on those who dare to speak out against him...
And he seems to be getting worse every year...
Forget about throwing McLaren or Renault out of F1...
How about we throw Max Mosley out instead...and get someone to replace him who has the welfare of the sport as his agenda...rather than
personal gain and chest-beating..

regards
John
Sydney Australia

John Cook, Sydney, Australia

A petition was started friday evening, following the anouncements made by the FIA, requesting a vote of no confidence in Max Mosley. The comments make for interesting reading.

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/vote-of-no-confidence-in-max-mosley-president-of-fia.html

Peter Wood, London, England

i honestly cannot see the difference between the two cases - one team had information from another team but didn't use it. so could someone please explain why mclaren get a record breaking fine and renault don't get punished? seriously, if the FIA are actually going for the record of how best to destroy your own credibility then they're doing pretty well...

and rally and touring cars are more fun to watch anyway

sam, farnham, uk

I have no idea why the powers that be in F1 seem so hell bent on Ferrari winning. That's been evident over a number years in all of the little but not so subtle decisions. Do you all know that Ferrari are actually members of the FIA, whereas other countries have their own governing bodies as members.?

I wouldn't be surprised if McLaren were made to throw this years drivers championship. It also remains that if McLaren are very good during winter testing then they'll probably end up being hobbled at the start of next season. If that happens I'm away from Formula 1 for good, I promise that.

Mark, London,

Well done Martin! As a totaly diehard F1 fan, I'm appalled at the recent ¨rantings¨ of Max Mosley & his cronies.. Those of us who have been around long enough will remember that at the end of his term, Jean-Marie Balestre really appeared to lose the plot & I have to admit my feelings are increasing that Mosley has lost his way & really believes that the FIA & himself are bigger than the sport.

And I personally think he is VERY VERY sadly wrong.

Gavin, Belfast,

Martin,
It is so refreshing to hear the voice of reason. But I wonder if you now will be subjected to the Mad Max charector asasignation as felt by Jackie Stewart.
Graham. Milton Keynes.

graham johnson, milton keynes, UK

Martin, you are right with your position on the Mclaren and Renault cases. If I can give you a recommendation, it would be to go on and champion the case on behalf of the average F-1 spectator, who is the true victim of all this meddling and cheating that is going on. Go on, clear out the FIA stables and let us enjoy a sport that should be about competing and ingenuity.

Rudi jansen, Esquiule, France

Thank you, Martin. You have my full support. I have lived F1 since Murray was a lad but I feel like turning my back on the sport. And now to the on line petition.......

Rob, Birmingham,

Having read Martins comments regarding the FIA hindering the appointment of his 2008 pass and the complaints to ITV regarding his commentry, you can't help but feel that the FIA (and Max) have lost touch with what the fans want.

Martin is the best commentator since....well, Murray Walker. For the FIA to attempt to prevent him continuing to give his full input to ITV for 2008 and beyond would be a huge injustice to millions of F1 fans.

Best of luck in this matter Martin - hope to hear from you and the brilliant ITV team from Melbourne 2008!!

Ben Chapman, Billericay, Essex

Well said Martin. There is no doubting the people in McLaren and Renault, two decent teams with many great people, but it is clear to see there is a witch-hunt going on.

The whole sport needs to change soon or no one will be watching it. It is easy to see why ITV could only match viewing figures this year to 2000, even with all the extra coverage and support that Lewis Hamilton has brought, simply because the whole sport is a mess.

The engine rules and new aero rules for 2009 are a disgrace. Corporate governance should be the way forward.... the FIA should cap spending... they should also show some corporate governance themselves - they should be transparent.. None of this 'we want you to cut spending through less development' nonsense. F1 should be leading the way in technology and ideas.

Bernie has made the sport commercially what it is, he needs to cut ties with his old chum Max. F1 needs to change and fast, if it don't, I won't be sticking around to watch the ship sink.

Liam, Corby, Northants

I hope that if Max decides to back out of the lawsuit the Times will pursue the FIA through the courts agressively. Similarly when Martin's credentials are delayed bring a case should be brought on restriction of trade.

The FIA's attitude to spying and possesion of other team's data is bafflingly incosistent. In addition to the recent cases there are several others which have not even been investigated. Two Toyota employees were jailed for taking Ferrari info. The FIA took no action. Colin Kolles of Midland produced a STR drawing to prove that this car was illegal. He was not asked how he obtained it. Nigel Stepney in an open letter said he received McLaren data in return for the Ferrari dat he was supplying. Max has not investigated this. Although both recent verdicts are completely farcical it is beyond reason that one teams 2008 car is being investigated and not the other.

Max asked why Stepney would supply info free. Max's position is voluntary. Who is paying him?

Steven Roy, Troon, Scotland

Bravo Martin!
It is good to hear an authorative voice in every sense speaking for those who are appalled by the apparently uncontrollable egos responsible for motor sport.

alan wolton, Taunton, Somerset, UK

What happened to free speech and personal opinion? Martin, your views will be fully supported by many fans. The FIA regulates F1, yet when they expose events such as this past season to the wider public, it gives the illusion that they can't keep their own house in order. Many people will draw similar conclusions of this latest 'episode'.

Chris, Liverpool, UK

Martin, The Sunday Times must fight this - it will generate so much adverse publicity for the FIA that they'll drop it before it goes to court.

Richard Wood's position will be made weaker - that coming after the highly embarrassing Rubython saga. FIA Communications will begin to crack and Max would do well to review how journos are treated. Then again, I'm sure he has no problem with it. And if Purnell takes over in '09 it will get no better. Damon Hill for the presidency, I say.

Given you're on a FOM pass rather than a press pass you should be alright. It's the print guys who get really bullied.

Bob, London,

Thank you Martin. Absolutely bang on. Stick firmly by your guns.
Justice is being seen *not* to be done!

Castor, BBC 606 F1 forum, UK, Gloucester,

I'm pleased they have issued a writ because I'd like the matter to go to court. So far we've had to endure a kangaroo court where you can be found guilty by implication and where those who vote do not have to admit the allegiances they may have to the accused.

I sincerely hope that News International and Mr Murdoch decide that this is worth defending - it could clean up the sport in a way that Mosley hadn't quite anticipated.

Richard Williams, London, UK

I have little to add to the above comments, like-minded as they are to my own position. Would just lke to echo those words of support for Martin, a driver for whom I had great respect, respect which, if anything, has grown since his retirement through his excellent, informed and forthright work in both journalism and commentary. Where Max Moseley seems only detrimental to the sport, you bring only postives.
Well done Martin and thankyou.

Chris Georgw, London, UK

Mosley showing the true colours of his roots yet again.
Jackie Stewart 'A half wit", Martin/The Times 'A Writ" and Renault no penalty (is this because they did not threaten the red cars this year I wonder, ooops I shouldn't have said that!)
For goodness sake Moseley's got to go before the F1 self destruct sequence is complete!
And to Martin Brundle, the man who brings sense to an insane world, you're the one voice in F1 I like many others truely respect!

John Newman, Dartford, Kent

Max Mosley has lost the plot, how dare he question somone of Martins stature and liflong achivements when he expreses what we are all thiking.
Mosley is a control freek who judgment and ethics are flawed and is the one bringing the sport into disrepute, he should resign now.
PS. we have a free press in this country
PPS. we should all remember who Max Mosley's father was.

kim allen, burnham,

Don't miss the annual Miford/Mosely book burning ceremony this week at your nearest lefty pinko bookstore!!!

Bernie needs to put this DISGUSTING fire out ASAP.
Jp, Southampton

Jp, Southampton, UK

Thank you Martin for saying what so many of us want to hear. This season has been totally void and ruined in my opinion. The sport urgently needs to set down rules and punishments that apply to all and end this unfair arbitray way of deciding things at the circuit and away from it. Martin I'm sure you will have most of the UK ,if not World, F1 fans supporting you.

Mike Jackson, Birmingham, UK

Well said, Martin. I used to have respect for Mr. Mosley, but not any longer. The whole business stinks and, in my opinion, it is they, the FIA, who are bringing down the sport.

Ian Wright, Crowborough,

I support Martin Brundle 100%. In accusing the FIA of a witch hunt against McLaren he only said what many other people believed and which could be readily infered from the actions of the FIA itself.

In my view the British TV companies should seriously consider whether they are willing to pay substantial fees for broadcasting rights to F1 in future if their commentators are going to be gagged. If it was made clear that future broadcasting fees were in jeapordy I think the FIA might just back down.

Turning to the Renault/McLaren affair I find the FIA's reasoning absurd. To claim that Renault misunderstood the data from McLaren is no defence in law to the charge of illegally possessing it. Nor do I believe that the information had no effect on the performance of the Renault cars. It seems to be stretching coincidence that the Renaults became signifigantly more competitive in the last two months of the season after Renault had time to digest the information.

Neil Hardie, Nanning, China

I supported Martin's view. The FIA should be fair in handling the so called Spygate sagas. I think the least that FIA can do is to investigate Renault's 2008 car before the start of next season. And i do suspected that Max may have his own personal agenda against MaLaren.

Thomas Lee, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Brave of Martin to speak up on this issue.

Not that he is saying anything different from any other motorsport commentator - Joe Saward, Maurice Hamilton, Chris Balfe et al are all asking the same questions.

But Martin has been singled out because here Max can sanction him personally and threaten his livelihood - as he has done with journos in the past.

It's spiteful and vindictive, but Max is not a stranger to personal vendetta. Remember the sour duel with Eduard Michelin.

These witch hunts are enormously damaging to F1. The 'certified half-wit', Jackie Stewart, happens to be the Sports Ambassador to one of its major corporate sponsors, the Royal Bank of Scotland.

Meanwhile, the most cursory glance at F1 message boards and fanzines will tell you that Max' credibility is shot. There are around 20 online petitions calling for Max resignation. Discontent is from the grass roots up.

Good luck to Martin. And if he isn't on the box next season, I won't be watching F1.

Jim Smith, Rayleigh,

Martin Brundle is a superb commentator, and an F1 expert who makes every ITV F1 broadcast interesting and informative through his ability to communicate his knowledge and enthusiasm. He's also one of the few people prepared to articulate what a huge number of British fans are thinking about the behaviour of Max Mosley and the FIA. Every new development in this affair is so ridiculous that you feel it can't be trumped - and the move to cripple the McLaren car before the season starts is no exception. Well done Martin and the Sunday Times for speaking out.

LJ Hutchins, Hertfordshire, UK

Congratulations on having the guts to speak out Martin.

Sam, London, UK

I believe there is a defence of "fair comment" in libel law.

Martin correctly points out his position as an informed and long time supporter of all that is "F1". I also seem to recall other senior figures in F1 (and at least two knights of the realm) making similar statements with regard to the voracity of the FIA's pursuit of the spying issue (At McLaren) so it's not as if Martin was so far out on a limb from a commonly held view.

In any club / society / sport it seems to me you end up having some rules. For them to be effective they should be clear, logical and most of all appear consistent in how they are enforced and justice meted out. I'm struggling to find evidence of any of the above in F1 these days.

I look forward to the day when F1 returns to the sports section of the papers.

Andrew, Helsinki, Finland

I was always of the opinion that F1 was a bit of a joke in the way it was run and governed,( how can it be called a sport where the selection of talented drivers is influenced by how much money daddy or contacts can pay for a drive, for spoilt indviduals)
But this whole controversy of spying and the blatant favoritism for ferrari from the a so called governing body FIA is the icing on the 'joke cake'. its no wonder why so many people dont take the sport seriously , its known that F1 is referred to as a circus, yes a circus governed and run by clowns!

M.Hunt, croydon, uk

For the good of the sport Mosley must go now. How can renault get away with spying and mclaren get punished and be under theat of further sanctions.

Barry , bradford,

Martin,
you have my full support.

I do hope that ITV will be behind you as well.

Yes it's a witch-hunt, yes the FIA have double standards, yes Mosley is a dictator like his father, and yes he uses his position to bully McLaren.
Not to mention that his filth is personal, and aimed at Ron Dennis..

F1 has never looked so ridiculous and does not deserve to be trusted. One day, and very soon, the real F1 fans will turn their back to this joke unless people like you open their mouth to say the truth.

Jean Flour, Slough, United Kingdom

I won't pass comment on the current situations within F1 (like many others I too am so tired of it all that it's tarnishing my enjoyment) but as a fan of the sport for the majority of my life, and being eternally indebted to Martin Brundle for providing the superb commentary he does, I will gladly show my support to Martin Brundle / The Times over the FIA's writ.

As if the FIA couldn't do any more damage to the sport, they're now attacking the characters that make it what it is; Martin Brundle, Jackie Stewart, Ron Dennis, etc.

A Cooper, Retford, UK

Good on you Martin for saying what most people are thinking. It's plain as day that the FIA's judgements are wildly inconsistent and therefore unfair.It matters not a jot whether this is deliberate or accidental, it's behavour and that of it's president is simply not good enough for an international sporting body.
As for the ongoing and seemingly never ending pursuit of Maclaren, the word vendetta springs to mind.
Keep up the good work Martin.

Ian Trevor, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Good for you MB. A literary middle finger stuck firmly up and pointed in the right direction. Carry on fighting the good fight and I'll carry on enjoying your entertaining and insightful commentary.

Rich, Cambridge,

I fully support Martin and I just can't help feeling the FIA could do with someonwe with his insight and mindset. In some respects I hope the FIA do follow this action through as it would be quite interesting to see if the FIA can actually give a justifiable account of itself based on evidence in a court of law.

Alex Yarnell, Milton Keynes, United Kingdon

This already absurd situation is getting worse. How can anyone stand up and say that the FIA and Max Mosley are acting in a way that will benefit the sport? What are they going to do next investigate BMW if they start beating Ferrari?

Everyone knows that information is passed between teams but nothing was done until Mclaren looked like lifting both championships, it looks like the FIA are trying to destroy their 2008 season as well. The Renault twist seems to highlight how personal this whole issue is, as for trying keep well respected journalists quiet? Its disgraceful. How many other fans are fed up of this nonsense?

Adam, Melton Mowbray, Leics

There's a petition concerning our beloved Formula One. Some of us thinks FIA is being controlled in the hand of the 'Junta'-style governance...

Go to this link & decide whether to participate... Your Freedom, Your Choice...for your Formula One. If you want it to be Fair One & Not what Ferrari One(wants)...Log in Now

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/vote-of-no-confidence-in-max-mosley-president-of-fia/signatures-page1.html

Ferrari control the Future of Max & the WMSC...You Control the Future of your Formula One

You can change. Let your voice & your choice be heard!

C, Asia, Asia

Martin - you are a lone voice in the journalism wilderness with the guts to say how it really is. All other journalists seem perfectly happy to tow the FIA line.

Your employers at The Times must fight the writ; I don't want to see any meek apologies issued. This is at least one way that the FIA's decisions can be judged in open court.

Max is turning me and many others away from the sport - we cannot have journalists & commentators gagged, as Max & Co can then do what they like without criticism.

Then F1 would become a dictatorship, wouldn't it, Max. Daddy would be so proud!

Edward, Concord, NC USA

Well said Martin
It appears that you are getting some well deserved support. If anyone has any doubts about damaging a sport look no further than cycling and how fast the sponsors are baling out there. It looks to me as though Max has used his position to fuel his vendetta against Ron Dennis and has been ably assisted by Mr Todt at Ferrari. I dont suppose it will come as much of a surprise when he takes over Max's role.

They always say "Better the devil you know" so I cant help but be full of trepidation at seeing a Frenchman once again heading F1. After all Platini is causing waves over at UEFA.

Let's get this thing sorted and get back to racing, but let's not try gagging the press, even if they are a pain in the ass most of the time.

Miike Cooper, Barnsley, England

How did Renault make a submission to the FIA in regard to the damper without top management knowing where the info came from? !

Max is behaving like his forebears.

Colin Marsh

colin marsh, Isleworth, middx

Martin your column, just goes to prove that Mr Max "Maclaren Witch-Hunt" Mosley, WMSC & the FIA are only in F1 for one reason, themselves. ( my personal view)
They are unable to provide a balanced and unbiased governning of F1, they only phold the rules of the sport when it suits them.
In the course of the year they have: sanctioned the use of an illegal car in Australia, punished one team for "spying" & decided not to do the same to another team in the same position. Will allow all the teams to view confidential schematics of another team to the detriment of that team.
Well done Mr Mosley & the FIA, you have destroyed the credability of F1 in a single, all because of you self proclaimed bias towards one team.
The whole FIA needs to have a root & branch reform to rebuild the reputation of the sport & the FIA

Ian Keattch, Penarth, Wales

Mosley is no better than his father in his desire to run an opressive regime. He seems intent on running the sport into the ground, the reason for which unclear. If other people in formula one were as honest and stood up for the sport they loved as much as Martin has, then the sport would be in much better health. It is time for Mosley to resign, and time for the FIA to seriously change. I call for Martin to be the new FIA president.

Mark Martin, Flint, Flintshire

Well, as a fullbred motorsportfan since 30 years I must say, that I also was quite surprised abt the verdict of the FIA. But somehow i expected it already. As I analyzed the cases a bit, I came to the believe that some elements must be placed in the proper proportion and will raise new, more questionmarks:

1. Mc Laren denied that the leaked information was known inside the team. That showed to be untrue. Alonso or Ecclestone was apperently the trigger. Did Dennis lie, bluf or was he really that ignorant ? It costed him €100 million euros nevertheless. And 2 championship titels.....almost a dead sentence.

2. The FIA took the decision to investigate this Mc Laren spy case, which in my eyes was and is quite wrong. F1 racing is billionare business and no longer sport, so this is seems to me a very delicate international court trail case.
So why they did this ? Is there some political powerplay behind ? Ferrari has it 60 th anniversary this year.....and now that is secured....

Harry, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Mr Brundle why are you so sensitive about the writ from FIA as a result of your Sunday Times column. We are in a FREE COUNTRY and one can write whatever one want. In a FREE COUNTRY exist also the right for the person or institution one has written about to disagree and go to court. Once the court has issue the verdict we all will know who was right and who was wrong. This is going on all the time in a FREE COUNTRY.

paul, Edinburgh, UK

I would like to add my support towards your comments Martin, well not just my support but the support of everyone I know.
I have followed Forumla One since 1984 and now at the age of 36 I'm thinking of turning my back on the sport for the first time in my life.
I find the FIA decisions hard to understand at best, but this recent decision has left me feeling sick to the stomach.
I also think the way Max Mosely has conducted himself and his manorisms hark back to school playground bullying tactis.

It's a shame really how everthing has come to this, and I'm just tired of it.
A real shame.

Paul, Swanage, England

Stick to your guns Martin, everyone I know thinks the latest WMSC decision beggars belief! McLaren blueprints were shown to Renault's top men in three or four design departments, yet didn't Mosley say previously that the evidence didn't look particularly damning?

The draconian punishment of McLaren was completely OTT, but it set a precedent for the WMSC - and a huge elephant trap which was obviously going to cause them problems in the future. They appear to have side-stepped the mess but judging Renault as though the McLaren case had never existed, it's a disgrace. I hope the world's media has the guts to follow this paper's stance on the whole debacle.

John Ellis, Hampshire, UK

The recent actions / comments by Mr Mosely ( in the name of the FIA) have been quite incredible . He appears to become more like his father by the day. Presumably it will not be long before all the teams have to wear the same coloured shirts.
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