Apr.9 (GMM) According to Ralf Schumacher, the FIA should have dropped the 'lie-gate' scandal in the interests of formula one.
The German and former six-time grand prix winner already admitted last weekend that lying is not a rare commodity at the pinnacle of motor racing."You could say that this is inexcusable," 34-year-old Schumacher is quoted as saying by the German press, "but I say it should be excused."The scandal has claimed the scalp of sacked McLaren sporting director Dave Ryan, triggered an extraordinary meeting of the World Motor Sport Council, and thrown into doubt the futures at McLaren of team boss Martin Whitmarsh and reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton."I have to ask myself why the FIA draws this thing out even further," Schumacher continued. "It is unfortunate that at the moment such an exciting season is overshadowed by such things."Also in the German press, experts and pundits are fearing the outcome of the FIA meeting on April 29.Sporting sanctions may spark the already struggling Mercedes' withdrawal from the sport, while financial penalties would be disastrous amid the backdrop of the global recession.Mercedes' racing boss Norbert Haug told the Cologne newspaper Express: "This situation is absolutely not positive for Mercedes."I report directly to Daimler chairman Dr Dieter Zetsche. If the situation should become intolerable, we will get together in Stuttgart and make a decision."
