Nelson Piquet Jr win crashgate libel case

Dec.07 (GMM) Former Renault f1 Driver Nelson Piquet Jr and his father have won their libel case against Renault today in the High Court, with the French company agreeing to pay 'substantial damages'. Renault also 'apologised unreservedly' for comments made in the wake of the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix crash-gate scandal. The Piquets decided to take legal action in react to a press release issued by Renault on September 11 last year.

In it Renault accused the Piquets of not only making 'false allegations' about what went on at the maiden Singapore GP, but they also said the claims were 'deliberately invented in order to blackmail' the team. Renault however, were subsequently found guilty of race fixing by the WMSC and thus had to concede to the Court that comments made in the release were ‘wholly untrue and unfounded’.

Dominic Crossley, the lawyer for the Piquets, said they were delighted with today’s outcome: “Today the Renault Formula One Team apologised in the High Court for defaming my two clients, the motor racing father and son Nelson and Nelsinho Piquet,” he said in a statement.

“This marks the start rather than the end of the long journey they are both taking to correct many of the wrongs that took place during last year’s “crashgate” scandal.

“They were both treated appallingly by Renault F1 when they dared to reveal the scandal to the governing body; and Nelsinho was abused terribly throughout his absurdly short career in F1.

“It is to the immense credit of both my clients that they have refused to be deterred from righting the wrongs despite the ferocity of the attacks and the size of the opponents they have had to confront.

“Nelson Piquet dominated F1 during the early 80s and his reputation as a motorsport legend should remain untarnished by this saga. F1 has been deprived of the best of Nelsinho and it is to its detriment that his talent is now being demonstrated elsewhere. Whilst neither of them should ever have had to prove Renault F1’s allegations false they are both delighted with the successful conclusion of the case,” he summed-up.

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