In case we've ever accused anyone of prostitution, drug running, racketeering or anything, we here at Autoblog would like to go on the record as saying we were just kidding. So please, don't sue us. And we're so not hiring this dude from Business F1 magazine.
The staple publication for anyone and everyone professionally involved in the grand prix racing, Business F1, has lost yet another libel lawsuit, this time against Michael Schumacher's manager Willi Weber. The mag ran a story back in 2005 alleging that Weber had his hands in prostitution and drug running, which of course is only true if you consider Schumi's lucrative endorsement deals to be prostitution.
We say "yet another" because, if you can believe it, Business F1 has already lost two libel suits to former Jaguar Racing principal Tony Purnell and to FIA consultant Alan Donnelly, not to mention the two cases still pending with F1 Race Director Charlie Whiting and FIA PR guy Richard Woods.
The exact sum the publisher has to pay to Weber is not disclosed, but sources indicate he was seeking $180k, plus legal fees incurred. Friendly piece of advice for the guys over at Business F1: maybe consider stop printing libel? Just maybe. Think about it.
[Source: GrandPrix.com]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
rwdmtparkingonly @ Oct 5th 2006 12:07PM
How do you know this guy isn't involved in prostitution and drug running? He looks like a pimp.
Business F1 likely would have won in America. Europe does not value free speech as highly as America, so they have much looser standards for what is "libel."
mcshnobe @ Oct 5th 2006 12:23PM
rwdmtparkingonly,
You are absolutely correct. But, he would have sued for emotional distress and that they hurt his feelings. And would have won $27.6 million for pain and suffering from the big bad business.
purecoda @ Oct 5th 2006 12:59PM
Props for the Kramer/Seinfeld reference.
Greg A. @ Oct 5th 2006 6:49PM
Bill Gates eats puppy marinated in his own urine. :)