F1 - the spygate incident

I am missing something here, surely. I have read the transcript for the extraordinary meeting of the FIA on the 13th and I do not understand the punishment given to McLaren.

In the earlier statement, McLaren was found guilty of being in breach of article 151c of the International Sporting Code. The team was not punished, however, because no proof could be found that the Ferrari technical documents had been used to make changes in teh current McLaren car.

How can FIA penalize McLaren so brutally when nothing in the transcript proves otherwise? Yes, the new information shows that the information reached Pedro de la Rosa and Fernando Alonso, but in line with the initial ruling of FIA on this matter, where is the proof that that information was used to benefit the car?

The decision seems to be founded on guesses and assumptions. McLaren offered FIA to inspect the car. FIA never did so. Why? Why rule so strongly against McLaren without a proper technical inspection? As far as I can tell no new information regardig actual use of the information has come out to light.

And why on Earth allow the drivers to keep their points?????? Sure, I would like Alonso to win the Championship again, but if FIA believes that the data was improperly used and rules with to effect, even without proof, then they should also punish the drivers.

Why don't they do it? So that fans of the sport continue watching without complain while one of the greatest teams in the History of F1 is punished beyond reasonabe measure. It is not only the USD100 million, but the likelyhood that under the current Concorde agreement McLaren looses most of the funds for the 2008 season. The punishment is not fit to the crime, in my opinion. Even if it were, do not be hypocrites: the team (and that includes the drivers) is either guilty or it is not. Do not take half measures that allow a hollow victory for a team that, this year, does absolutely not deserve winning the constructor's Championship while keeping the fantasy of a fair fight.

A shame. And a wonderful competition gone dirty for all the wrong reasons.

Mr. C