Full Throttle

24 hours ago upon the announcement Lewis Hamilton was excluded from the Australian GP about the only phrases uttered by Martin Whitmarsh when repeatedly asked was; “He didn’t lie, they didn’t lie and no one lied!”

He failed to mention anything related to “pure as the driven snow,” but I think you get the idea.

That was then, this is now.

And in the hear and now McLaren suspended sporting director Dave Ryan from his position with the team.

But no one, presumably and in keeping with Whitmarsh’s line of bull, has lied.

“In my 20-odd years working for McLaren, I doubt if I’ve met a more dedicated individual than Davey,” said Whitmarsh. “He’s been an integral part of McLaren since 1974 and has played a crucial role in the team’s many world championship successes since that time.”

Being a “dedicated individual” obviously entails being made the fall guy also.

“However, his role in the events of last Sunday, particularly his dealings with the FIA stewards, has caused serious repercussions for the team, for which we apologise. Therefore, I suspended him this morning and he has accepted this.”

Sounds suspiciously like someone DID lie. So, when can we expect Whitmarsh to fall on his own sword after denying everything Tuesday?

Don’t answer that, it purely rhetorical. And silly.

As Peter (the Great) noted, “Jebus Ron, [Dennis] you step down as CEO & the boys screw up big time at the first race without you.”

As if this isn’t enough the FIA has hinted a pound of Hamilton/Mclaren flesh may not be enough and the matter may be taken up with the WMSC in Paris.

The last pound of flesh hacked out of their collective hides came at a cost of a cool $100 million. I doubt it would be that serious this time but you can never count on what a bunch 3rd worlders that make up the majority voting block at the WMSC.

No better proof of that is Max “The littlest Perv” Mosley still clinging to his job as a result of that same voting block.

Good luck Ron, Martin and Lewis, but look on the bright side, the frequent flyer miles will add-up with the round trip to Paris.

UPDATE: I swear on the grave on Juan Manual Fangio the number of people getting tossed under the bus is growing by the minute.

Via James Allen, Lewis Hamilton’s apology: “I lied, I was told to and I’m sorry,” Hamilton said after a briefing in Sepang.

UPDATE II: Gee, I bet Lewis wished had an ear infection on Sunday instead of today so he wouldn’t have received those illegal team orders.

Upon further reflection, the ear infection might have been caused by all the “burning of ears” around Mclaren the last couple of days.