Formula One news

I spoke with FIA last year, says Piquet Sr.

Nelson Piquet, the triple World Champion father of the man who was allegedly ordered to crash in the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, has revealed that he informed the FIA of the plan last year, claiming that Renault Team Principal Flavio Briatore believed the 'truth' would remain under wraps.

With the Brazilian pairing having informed governing body the FIA of the scandal now knows as 'Crashgate', The Mirror has been told by Nelson Piquet Sr. that Paris-based federation has been aware of the supposed plot for some time.

Piquet Sr. claims to have spoken with Whiting last year

"At some point, people like Flavio get so much power they think they can walk on water," Piquet said on Thursday. "He really thought that, despite the clear evidence, that no-one could hurt him; what is he going to complain about - the truth?"

The Champion of 1981, 1983 and 1987 then went on to describe the shock of discovering the scheme. "When this thing happened in Singapore I couldn't believe it," he recalled, with the British newspaper having explained that Piquet employed the services of private investigators Quest in London.

"Anyway, in Brazil I talk to Charlie (Whiting, FIA Race Director)," he continued. "I got him and said: 'Look, what could happen to Nelson (Jr?) if I bring this up?' and I was afraid to screw up the career of Nelson. At the race in Brazil, I called Charlie and I told the whole story to Charlie."

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