What is everyone's thoughts on the fines McLaren have been given so far this year?
Do you think the rulings were fair? Too harsh, or not strong enough?
Should the drivers have been punished as well as the team? After all, they did know about the leaked Ferrari data as their personal emails confirmed.
And can McLaren recover from this? I know they are a large organisation, but every company has a budget and a profit line. The fines this year, if you include everything, will eventually total close to £210 Million (£50 Million for Alonso's blocking of Hamilton, £100 Million for Stealing secrets from Ferrari, and they will lose an additional estimated £60 Million next year due to lost revenue from the lose of this seasons constructors points).
Plus what will happen with the drivers wages next year? They are worked out based on constructors points from the previous season. But now they have none! Will they base it on the points they would have received?
Personally I think this whole series of events has ruined many aspects of this years championship. Ferrari have now been awarded the constructors championship this year, but it is a hollow victory with the main direct competition removed from the running. And the achievements of Hamilton are now questionable based on what we now know, as it generates many questions about how real his achievements have actually been this year. Without knowing the Ferrari secrets would he have been on the podium as much as he has been? Would he be leading the drivers championship?
I personally think that it was wrong not to punish the drivers. The speculation for not is because the FIA wanted to keep the championship alive. Removing the drivers points would have removed the fight for the championship and left it to be battled out between the Ferrari drivers, but if a McLaren driver goes on to win this drivers championship will it have been fair? Without all of the evidence and facts we have no way of knowing for sure. Personally I think all of this has ruined this years season which was shaping up to be the best one for many years.