Briatore questions motive for damper ban

The system, innovated by Renault, was banned by the FIA after the French Grand Prix because it was believed to be a movable aerodynamic device.

Renault were able to convince the race stewards at Hockenheim that the system is legal, but the FIA appealed that decision.

With teams uncertain about possible punishment for running the mass damper system prior to the appeal hearing, Renault have yesterday decided to removing theirs from their cars.

"Things have started to happen that we don't understand," a disappointed Briatore commented. "This happens when a team that is not winning races needs help. The races are being decided by the referee and not the players.

"There is someone who has pushed to have this situation. We will not use the mass damper here because we don't want to have the threat of disqualification from the FIA."

He added: "Someone who has copied us has done a bad job. And to solve this situation, they have tried to be close to the referees of the situation. It is negative for F1.

"I am curious to see the value that some of the victories of the people who have got this advantage will take away with them.

"There are people who are trying to give a false result to the championship. There is a commitment by the FIA, with the help of some teams, to play against us."

Briatore claims the mass damper situation is galling because there was no hint of any problem with them before the FIA made its clarification in July.

"We have raced with the system for seven months," said Briatore. "We passed scrutineering before the races and after the races, and there was nothing irregular.

"So we don't understand what has happened."