Max Mosley, Sebastien Bourdais settle individual lawsuits
Those who bemoan modern Formula One settling its rivalries in the courtroom instead of on the race track have another set of examples to bring up at the pub as news emerges of the settlement of two lawsuits related to the top-tier racing series have emerged over the course of the weekend.
In one case, Scuderia Toro Rosso and its dejected driver Sebastien Bourdais reportedly settled a dispute of the premature termination of the contract between the two parties. When the team fired Bourdais in favor of Jamie Alguersuari, Bourdais proclaimed that he was looking into legal recourse against the team. Reports now indicate that the two parties settled out of court, with STR reportedly paying Bourdais salary plus damages in the amount of $2.1 million. Speculation is rising that the French driver will return to racing in the U.S., where he racked up an unprecedented four consecutive Champ Car titles before his ill-fated move to Formula One.
Meanwhile, departing FIA president Max Mosley has reportedly settled his case against German newspaper Bild over the publication of his sordid sex scandal for which he sued the publisher for $2.35 million. According to reports, Mosley and Bild settled for $290,000 which will be distributed to two charities, as well as the publication of an interview to clear the record. The settlement follows the $100,000 in damages and $760,000 in legal fees awarded last year to Mosley from the News of the World, the British tabloid which originally broke the story.
[Sources: F1-Live and GrandPrix.com | Image: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Shiftright 11:35AM (8/10/2009)
Bourdais is obviously a very talented driver, but why is that too often Indy Car/ IRL/ CART/ Champ Car drivers never fare well in their transition to F1, when drivers that are past their peak in F1 can come to the US and enjoy a new and victorious career?
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Riaf28 4:39PM (8/10/2009)
I think that Bourdais would have done better if in season testing wasn't banned.
Drivers would have more time to get used to the cars and new developments.
He seems like he needs more time in a car to get accustomed to it.
I think the lack of testing will increase the amount of drivers coming in and being removed because they can't come to grips with the car.