Norfolk-based Steeles Law has been retained by Formula 1 chief Max Mosley to take his privacy case to the European Court of Human Rights.
The president of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, the governing body of Formula 1, is looking to force a change in English law that will require editors to contact subjects of news stories about any revelations before publishing allegations about their private lives.
The move follows Mosley being awarded £60,000 in damages against the News of the World after the Sunday newspaper alleged that Mosley’s sadomasochistic sex session with five dominatrices had “Nazi connotations”. Mr Justice Eady ruled that the sex orgy involved a portrayal of sadomasochism but not in relation to Nazism.
Steeles litigation chief Dominic Crossley, who is representing Mosley, has instructed David Pannick QC of Blackstone Chambers, assisted by David Sherborne of 5 Raymond Buildings.
[TheLawyer]
Monday, October 13, 2008
Kimi drops out of 2008 championship hunt
Oct.13 (GMM) Sunday's Japanese grand prix hammered the final nail into the coffin of reigning world champion Kimi Raikkonen's title defence.
The Finn's third place finish was his first podium appearance since June's Magny Cours round, but he nonetheless slipped an insurmountable 21 points behind the championship leader with just two races to go.
Also officially out of the running are BMW-Sauber's Nick Heidfeld and leader Lewis Hamilton's McLaren teammate Heikki Kovalainen.
Singapore and Fuji winner Fernando Alonso, meanwhile, could go on to win the last two races of the season while Hamilton fails to finish, but would still fall 16 points short of a third drivers' title.
Joining Hamilton and Felipe Massa in with a mathematical chance of the title, however, is BMW's Robert Kubica, who collected 8 points at Fuji while his championship rivals faltered.
"We are still in the fight, so let's try," said the Pole, who openly acknowledges that his car is not a match for the two top teams despite his mere 12 point deficit to Hamilton.
"I think Kimi showed last year that everything is possible and I hope we can find a few tenths which will help me in the battle," the 23-year-old added.
Renault, Honda, Toyota allowed to improve F1 engines
Renault and Honda have confirmed they will be among the teams authorised to make performance improvements to their engines ahead of the 2009 season.
The FIA declared recently that some teams will be allowed to "equalise engine performance", following the emergence of a situation whereby some frozen-specification V8s have pulled ahead this year.
"We will have to present a project to the FIA with all the changes that we want to do, and they will have to approve them," Renault boss Flavio Briatore confirmed to the Spanish newspaper El Pais.
Honda's team CEO Nick Fry, meanwhile, explained that only some teams will get the green light to carry out work.
"For some, like McLaren, Ferrari and BMW, it is probably not necessary. But yes, I can confirm that we (Honda) will be able to do it."
It is believed that Toyota is the other carmaker likely to be approved for engine performance improvements.
Briatore, who argues that Renault has fallen as much as 30 horse power behind in the engine freeze, explained: "It is obvious that we will not be able to change the concept of the engine, but we will be able to modify some internal components.
"This year we are the team that has improved its car the most. With the improvement of our engine, in 2009 we will have a great single seater," the Italian vowed.
The FIA declared recently that some teams will be allowed to "equalise engine performance", following the emergence of a situation whereby some frozen-specification V8s have pulled ahead this year.
"We will have to present a project to the FIA with all the changes that we want to do, and they will have to approve them," Renault boss Flavio Briatore confirmed to the Spanish newspaper El Pais.
Honda's team CEO Nick Fry, meanwhile, explained that only some teams will get the green light to carry out work.
"For some, like McLaren, Ferrari and BMW, it is probably not necessary. But yes, I can confirm that we (Honda) will be able to do it."
It is believed that Toyota is the other carmaker likely to be approved for engine performance improvements.
Briatore, who argues that Renault has fallen as much as 30 horse power behind in the engine freeze, explained: "It is obvious that we will not be able to change the concept of the engine, but we will be able to modify some internal components.
"This year we are the team that has improved its car the most. With the improvement of our engine, in 2009 we will have a great single seater," the Italian vowed.
Alonso vows to help Massa win title
Oct.13 (GMM) Back to back grand prix winner Fernando Alonso has admitted he would assist the title challenge of Ferrari's Felipe Massa in the last two races of 2008.
After his disastrous tenure at McLaren last year, the Spaniard makes clear he is not barracking for the British team's Lewis Hamilton, who leads the points standings against Massa by 5 points.
In the official post-race press conference at Fuji Speedway, Alonso admitted he agreed with the stewards' decision to penalise Hamilton for his first corner incident.
The 27-year-old later told Italy's Sky: "I didn't know why he (Hamilton) had been penalised. After last year, I want Ferrari to win. I will help Massa if I can."
Despite backing Massa over Hamilton, however, Alonso admits he has not been overly impressed with either driver's championship campaign.
"They have thrown away many points," Spain's Diario AS newspaper quotes him as saying.
"After 16 races the leader has 84 points, but I had that many after 9 races in 2006," Alonso recalls.
Also unimpressed is the winner of multiple Champ Car titles Sebastien Bourdais, who lost his championship points at Fuji after stewards investigated his collision with Massa.
"He's fighting for the title and taking unnecessary risks like that, as he did with (overtaking) Webber as well.
"You've got everything to lose and nothing to gain. It is a sign of arrogance," the Frenchman charged.
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