Formula One news

Hill fears claims of political bias

Damon Hill has expressed his concerns for Formula One in the wake of the latest spy scandal to hit the sport, this time involving the Renault team. Britain's last world champion believes a second spy scandal will cost the sport much of the faith fans have in F1.

In an interview with The Telegraph newspaper, Hill questioned how McLaren received such a severe penalty when former Ferrari engineers who joined Toyota were also found guilty of industrial espionage, but did not have nearly as serious consequences.

"I would like to understand how the Ferrari-Toyota case, which ended in court, did not lead to the same outcome as the Ferrari-McLaren case?" Hill asked. "Why was Toyota not punished?"

"There was an uncomfortable feeling that there was something more to the McLaren outcome than the issue being investigated," he added. "The way justice was meted out raised some questions about the way the FIA handles breaches."

"Last season was the best in F1 for a long time, most notably because there were four drivers who could have been world champion," Hill went on. "That brought about a massive amount of interest in the sport for the right reasons. It did not need any more controversy or sideshows."

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• 12 Oct.
  • Photos: Sunday at Fuji
• 11 Oct.
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  • Ferrari faces uphill battle
  • Williams struggles in qualifying
  • Another double top ten for Toro Rosso
  • McLaren delighted with qualifying
  • Back row again for Force India
  • BMW hopes rest with Kubica
  • Alonso keeps Renault competitive
  • Honda continues to struggle at Fuji
  • Photos: Saturday at Fuji
  • Mixed result at Red Bull Racing
  • Toyota team make it into top ten
  • Massa laments lack of grip
  • Hamilton happy on pole
  • Hamilton takes Japanese pole
  • Kubica on top in wet free practice
• 10 Oct.
  • Bridgestone expects grip to improve during the weekend
  • Buemi to steer medical car
  • Trouble-free day for McLaren
  • Positive day for Toro Rosso
  • Webber gives Red Bull hope
  • Mixed Friday for BMW
  • Force India upbeat after practice
  • Honda looking for more pace
  • Ferrari happy with Friday progress
  • Government will try and safe Canadian Grand Prix
  • Strong start for Toyota at home track
  • Renault shows encouraging pace at Fuji
  • Nakajima enjoys first day at Fuji Speedway
  • Glock fastest on Friday
  • Photos: Friday at Fuji
  • Hamilton leads first practice in Japan
  • Nakajima pleased with his first F1 season so far
  • Barrichello's advise to Senna: Do not join Honda!
• 09 Oct.
  • Massa focused ahead of vital race weekend
  • Raikkonen hoping for better
  • Button still waiting for Honda's driver decision
  • Canadian GP dropped due to a 'commercial disagreement'
  • New engine for Glock

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