RIP Jean-Marie Balestre
Discussion
I wondered if anybody had spotted this on www.formula1.com. A very controversial character if I remember correctly!
"Former FIA President Jean-Marie Balestre has died at the age of 86, according to reports in his native France. Born in 1921, Balestre was a founder member of the Federation Francaise du Sport Automobile (FFSA) and went on to become a major proponent of improved safety in Formula One racing.
Balestre was arguably best known for his role in the so-called ‘FISA-FOCA war’ of the early ‘80s, the dispute between the FIA’s then sporting arm, of which he was then President, and the Formula One Constructors’ Association, headed by Bernie Ecclestone. Its settlement would ultimately see commercial control of the sport pass to Ecclestone, with the FIA retaining a regulatory role.
In 1986 Balestre added the FIA Presidency to his remit (FISA would later be absorbed by the FIA), and continued his Formula One safety campaign, pushing through the move to new normally-aspirated engine regulations in 1989.
Balestre was succeeded by former FOCA adversary Max Mosley as FIA President in 1993, but remained at the helm of the FFSA until 1996."
dumbfunk
"Former FIA President Jean-Marie Balestre has died at the age of 86, according to reports in his native France. Born in 1921, Balestre was a founder member of the Federation Francaise du Sport Automobile (FFSA) and went on to become a major proponent of improved safety in Formula One racing.
Balestre was arguably best known for his role in the so-called ‘FISA-FOCA war’ of the early ‘80s, the dispute between the FIA’s then sporting arm, of which he was then President, and the Formula One Constructors’ Association, headed by Bernie Ecclestone. Its settlement would ultimately see commercial control of the sport pass to Ecclestone, with the FIA retaining a regulatory role.
In 1986 Balestre added the FIA Presidency to his remit (FISA would later be absorbed by the FIA), and continued his Formula One safety campaign, pushing through the move to new normally-aspirated engine regulations in 1989.
Balestre was succeeded by former FOCA adversary Max Mosley as FIA President in 1993, but remained at the helm of the FFSA until 1996."
dumbfunk
At the time FIA/FISA needed to retain control of the championship from Bernie's increasing powerbase and F1 couldn't continue with the Turbo regs...but he was hardly easy to like was he?
Still, can't say things are any better these days and he clearly leaves a legacy of achievement. RIP
Still, can't say things are any better these days and he clearly leaves a legacy of achievement. RIP
Edited by kevin ritson on Saturday 29th March 08:30
heebeegeetee said:
DBSV8 said:
an a
hole
Why's that then?hole oh hold on .....isn't Prost French ...
mirrored by the way Le Blanc ( tour de France UCI president )treated Lance Armstrong When he was dominant
oh hold on ......Armstrong is not French
nuff said
DBSV8 said:
heebeegeetee said:
DBSV8 said:
an ahole
Why's that then?hole oh hold on .....isn't Prost French ...
mirrored by the way Le Blanc ( tour de France UCI president )treated Lance Armstrong When he was dominant
oh hold on ......Armstrong is not French
nuff said
Was that a bad thing? And the Prost thing - Senna wasn't an angel was he, and wasn't always right.
heebeegeetee said:
DBSV8 said:
heebeegeetee said:
DBSV8 said:
an ahole
Why's that then?hole oh hold on .....isn't Prost French ...
mirrored by the way Le Blanc ( tour de France UCI president )treated Lance Armstrong When he was dominant
oh hold on ......Armstrong is not French
nuff said
Was that a bad thing? And the Prost thing - Senna wasn't an angel was he, and wasn't always right.
Balestre = French
Prost = French
Senna = not French
So When Senna dominated Prost Balestre favoured Prost
Le Blanc =French
Richard Virenque = French ( drugs Cheat )
Lance Armstrong = Not French / not drugs cheat
Le Blanc didnt like the fact Armstrong was dominating the Tour de France so tried to change the course accordingly , it didn't work, then acused Armstrong of using Drugs ( always negative result )
Where as French Man Virenque ( positive drugs cheat ) allowed back in the tour and highly respected by Le Blanc
coincidence that they were all French
heebeegeetee said:
And of course Britian is an extrememly fair country where no favoritism is ever shown, there is no corruption here and we have a highly attuned sense of fair play.
So, can anyone tell me of the good Balestre did? I mean come on, he must have done something.
He was involved in the French SS and collaborated with the Nazis in the Second World War. So, can anyone tell me of the good Balestre did? I mean come on, he must have done something.
heebeegeetee said:
And of course Britian is an extrememly fair country where no favoritism is ever shown, there is no corruption here and we have a highly attuned sense of fair play.
So, can anyone tell me of the good Balestre did? I mean come on, he must have done something.
So because some people in the UK are corrupt, people from the UK can't criticise people from other countries for being corrupt?So, can anyone tell me of the good Balestre did? I mean come on, he must have done something.
SamHH said:
heebeegeetee said:
And of course Britian is an extrememly fair country where no favoritism is ever shown, there is no corruption here and we have a highly attuned sense of fair play.
So, can anyone tell me of the good Balestre did? I mean come on, he must have done something.
So because some people in the UK are corrupt, people from the UK can't criticise people from other countries for being corrupt?So, can anyone tell me of the good Balestre did? I mean come on, he must have done something.
But i am surprised that the one man who ever stood up to Bernie is so badly thought. Can only be because he's French. But Bernie's English.
DBSV8 said:
Le Blanc =French
Richard Virenque = French ( drugs Cheat )
Lance Armstrong = Not French / not drugs cheat
Le Blanc didnt like the fact Armstrong was dominating the Tour de France so tried to change the course accordingly , it didn't work, then acused Armstrong of using Drugs ( always negative result )
Where as French Man Virenque ( positive drugs cheat ) allowed back in the tour and highly respected by Le Blanc
coincidence that they were all French
Well, this aged nicely...Richard Virenque = French ( drugs Cheat )
Lance Armstrong = Not French / not drugs cheat
Le Blanc didnt like the fact Armstrong was dominating the Tour de France so tried to change the course accordingly , it didn't work, then acused Armstrong of using Drugs ( always negative result )
Where as French Man Virenque ( positive drugs cheat ) allowed back in the tour and highly respected by Le Blanc
coincidence that they were all French
The deal was Senna wrongly presumed pole was on the racing line, the left, I think he asked for it to be changed, I think he was allowed to do this I am not sure.
Then because of 88 and 89, he basically presumed, rightly or wrongly that Alain and JMB had colluded to ensure pole would not be changed. And in a fit and petulant state went to the grid deciding that come what may he would take Alain out.
He did so, telemetry proved he never lifted, Alain did slightly open the door, but only to enable corner entry and Ayrton was nowhere near him, he ONLY got close to him because he never lifted. Into the first bend on cold tyres he would have lifted for sure if he had been leading.
Still to this day the nastiest, most ruthless and dirtiest piece of driving I have EVER seen in my days. At that speed, in those cars with all that at stake, this is how much Alain had got to him. Imagine trying to race against that mindset, is it any wonder Alain was never really the same man after this. I always felt a little of his spirit died that day.
Then because of 88 and 89, he basically presumed, rightly or wrongly that Alain and JMB had colluded to ensure pole would not be changed. And in a fit and petulant state went to the grid deciding that come what may he would take Alain out.
He did so, telemetry proved he never lifted, Alain did slightly open the door, but only to enable corner entry and Ayrton was nowhere near him, he ONLY got close to him because he never lifted. Into the first bend on cold tyres he would have lifted for sure if he had been leading.
Still to this day the nastiest, most ruthless and dirtiest piece of driving I have EVER seen in my days. At that speed, in those cars with all that at stake, this is how much Alain had got to him. Imagine trying to race against that mindset, is it any wonder Alain was never really the same man after this. I always felt a little of his spirit died that day.
bergclimber34 said:
The deal was Senna wrongly presumed pole was on the racing line, the left, I think he asked for it to be changed, I think he was allowed to do this I am not sure.
Then because of 88 and 89, he basically presumed, rightly or wrongly that Alain and JMB had colluded to ensure pole would not be changed. And in a fit and petulant state went to the grid deciding that come what may he would take Alain out.
He did so, telemetry proved he never lifted, Alain did slightly open the door, but only to enable corner entry and Ayrton was nowhere near him, he ONLY got close to him because he never lifted. Into the first bend on cold tyres he would have lifted for sure if he had been leading.
Still to this day the nastiest, most ruthless and dirtiest piece of driving I have EVER seen in my days. At that speed, in those cars with all that at stake, this is how much Alain had got to him. Imagine trying to race against that mindset, is it any wonder Alain was never really the same man after this. I always felt a little of his spirit died that day.
Actually, the stewards AGREED before qualifying to put the pole spot on the left side of the track. After Senna got pole, Balestre interfered and went back on the agreement. If you weigh that up with what happened the previous year, you can understand why Senna wast so insensed.Then because of 88 and 89, he basically presumed, rightly or wrongly that Alain and JMB had colluded to ensure pole would not be changed. And in a fit and petulant state went to the grid deciding that come what may he would take Alain out.
He did so, telemetry proved he never lifted, Alain did slightly open the door, but only to enable corner entry and Ayrton was nowhere near him, he ONLY got close to him because he never lifted. Into the first bend on cold tyres he would have lifted for sure if he had been leading.
Still to this day the nastiest, most ruthless and dirtiest piece of driving I have EVER seen in my days. At that speed, in those cars with all that at stake, this is how much Alain had got to him. Imagine trying to race against that mindset, is it any wonder Alain was never really the same man after this. I always felt a little of his spirit died that day.
freedman said:
Actually, the stewards AGREED before qualifying to put the pole spot on the left side of the track. After Senna got pole, Balestre interfered and went back on the agreement. If you weigh that up with what happened the previous year, you can understand why Senna wast so insensed.
It's understandable why Senna was angry, but the actions he took as a consequence are utterly inexcusable and he never so much as remotely acknowledged that he'd done anything wrong. He, unbelievably, felt perfectly justified in what he did.Imagine if Verstappen, Hamilton, anyone did that today - they'd be vilified.
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