When I first heard the accusation that Renault had asked Nelson Piquet to crash deliberately, the question was whether it was true or not.
If it was true, then it amounted to the worst thing that has happened in Formula One.
There is only one other incident that comes near - Michael Schumacher parking his Ferrari on the racing line at Monaco in 2006 to block Fernando Alonso’s last qualifying lap.
But, really, even that is not comparable.
This time it was about manipulating a race. There was also the obvious danger to Piquet, other drivers and spectators.
What also really upset me at the weekend was what Flavio Briatore was saying. He denied it all . His messages were murky, even making comments about Piquet’s private life. It was unbelievable. And now, because Briatore has been sacked, we must assume the allegations against Renault were all true.
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