FIA to ‘probably’ appeal crashgate appeal outcome

F1’s governing body will “probably” appeal the decision of a court to overturn the motor racing bans of crashgate conspirators Flavio Briatore and Pat Symonds.

The news, reported by the Evening Standard, follows Tuesday’s verdict of the Tribunal de Grande Instance in Paris, which heard the case in November.

“The court has decided that the punishment was illegal,” the judge said, ordering the FIA to pay 15,000 euros in compensation to 59-year-old Briatore, and 5,000 euros to Symonds.

The court added that the outcome of the World Motor Sport Council held in September was “irregular”, and gave the FIA 15 days to pay the compensation to avoid 10,000 euro per day fines.

It said the FIA’s evidence was weak, and that lawyers were unable to question witnesses because their identity was withheld.

None of the parties have yet made official comment.

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