Renault loses the Crashgate libel case to Nelson Piquet Junior and his father
Back in 2008, Renault under Flavio Briatore’s rule was going through a tough time after winning the championship twice in a row in the years 2005 and 2006. The team was unable to compete anywhere near the top running teams and Fernando struggled to perform
with Renault after a dreadful experience with McLaren in 2007.
Renault out of frustration and stupidity decided to ask Nelson Piquet Junior to deliberately crash out of the race and enable his teammate Fernando Alonso to take the win. Obviously, Renault lost the case against the FIA in 2009 and the team later on stated
that Nelson Piquet Junior and his father blackmailed Renault about this case but Nelson and his father denied such allegations.
However, Renault was forced to pay substantial damages and make an unreserved apology to Piquet and his father.
“Today the Renault Formula 1 team apologised in the High Court for defaming my two clients, the motor racing father and son Nelson and Nelsinho Piquet. They were both treated appallingly by Renault F1 when they dared to reveal the scandal to the governing
body,” the pair's lawyer Dominic Crossley told the Media.
Nelson Piquet is a motorsport legend as he became one of the most dominant drivers in F1 history after his performance in the 80s. His son Nelson Piquet Junior decided to become a part of Formula 1 in 2008 after he joined Renault and it seemed that he might
carry on the legacy.
“This marks the start rather than the end of the long journey they are both taking to correct many of the wrongs that took place during last year's "crash-gate" scandal,” Dominic added.
After a number of hearings, the court finally gave the decision against Renault. However, one has to admit that the “Crashgate” scandal affected Nelson Piquet Junior’s career vitally. The pair was accused of making false accusations that the 2008 Singapore
Grand Prix was a set-up.
“As a mark of the sincerity of our apology and regret, we have agreed to pay them a substantial amount of damages for libel as well as their costs, and have undertaken not to repeat these allegations at any time in the future,” according to team Renault.
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