Sep.11 (GMM) Nelson Piquet on Friday claimed he is the victim of bullying by his personal manager and Renault's team boss Flavio Briatore.
After announcing the involvement of police and charges of blackmail, Briatore sat down with reporters at Monza and slammed the 23-year-old sacked Brazilian driver as "spoiled" and "fragile"."I think he crashed 17 times (in 2008 and 2009)," the Italian added. "I don't think all of them were deliberate," he joked.As the 'crash-gate' scandal deepens, Piquet responded to the threats of legal action by 59-year-old Briatore and Renault, insisting he has "nothing to fear" because he is "telling the truth".He claims both Briatore and team engineering boss Pat Symonds ordered him to crash on lap 14 of the 2008 Singapore grand prix in order to help Fernando Alonso win the race with an unusual strategy.Piquet has made a sworn statement to the FIA, which responded by launching an investigation and summoning Renault chiefs to a 21 September on charges of conspiracy."Because I am telling the truth I have nothing to fear, whether from the Renault team or Mr Briatore and whilst I am well aware of the power and influence of those being investigated, and the vast resources at their disposal, I will not be bullied again into making a decision I regret," he said.
