FIA confirms appeal against crashgate ruling

F1’s governing body on Monday said it has decided to file an appeal against the overturning of Flavio Briatore and Pat Symonds’ motor racing bans.

Paris’ Tribunal de Grande Instance last week said the processes of the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council decision to sanction the Renault pair over the so-called crashgate scandal had been irregular.

In a statement, the FIA said the bans would remain in place for now, but indicated that Briatore-managed drivers like Mark Webber will not be prevented from racing in 2010.

The Paris-based body added that new FIA president Jean Todt is pressing ahead with “new measures” for disciplining F1 figures, and that once in place, “this will address the issues in the Court’s judgement”.

“Nonetheless, an appeal is merited,” the FIA said.

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