Briatore "shocked" but ready to respond

In theory, Monday's meeting marked the end of the 2008 Singapore scandal, but Flavio Briatore is apparently preparing his counter-move. The president of the Spanish federation, Carlos Garcia, told the AS newspaper that he believes the Italian now has all the necessary justifications to try to overturn the FIA's harsh decision with legal action in an ordinary court.

“I wouldn't rule out the possibility that he would resort to ordinary justice because (Briatore) was left without his job to earn a living,” the Spaniard said.

The former Renault team manager is believed to have been summoned to Monday's meeting of the World Motor Sport Council but decided not to attend.

According to the Italian press, Briatore could organize a rival category to F1, without the patronage of the FIA. The Italian told Gazzetta dello Sport: "I'm shocked."

Andre' Cotta