Formula 1: Flavio Briatore won't be penalised for his recent outburst during which he accused the FIA of rigging this year's Drivers' Championship.
Following Fernando Alonso's penalty at the Italian Grand Prix, Briatore said this year's Championship had already been handed to Michael Schumacher as the title race was fixed.
"This is a World Championship which has already been decided at the table. We have understood how things go, it has all been decided. They have decided to give the World Championship to Schumacher and that is what will be," an angry Briatore told an Italian television station.
The Renault team boss, though, quickly backtracked on his claims, saying: "These comments, which have been attributed to me in the press, have been completely taken out of context. A jokey remark has been turned into something it was not intended to be."
But it wasn't long afterward that the FIA revealed that they would be investigating Briatore's remarks and if found guilty, the Renault boss could face a fine.
But motorsport's governing body has decided not to punish the Italian as according to FIA President Max Mosley, Briatore's quotes were said in the heat of the moment and didn't dent F1's image in any way.
"I think on some occasions Flavio spoke in an over-excited manner. But, to be fair with him, he subsequently and promptly corrected his quotes," Mosley said.
"The FIA can punish only if the quotes damage the image of the sport, and I don't think it happened in this case." PA