Senna boss hints at sequel

Press, 11 December 1989, Page 25

Senna boss hints at sequel

NZPA-Reuter Paris McLaren’s managing director, Ron Dennis, left for his holidays on Saturday still determined to continue his team’s legal fight with the International Motor Sports Federation (Fisa) on behalf of Ayrton Senna. Mr Dennis, who on Friday evening collected a huge gold medallion for McLaren’s triumph in the 1989 constructors’ world championship, gave a broad hint of his feelings on Senna’s predicament at the end of the lavish annual prize-giving din-

ner. Asked if he was satisfied with the outcome of the Brazilian’s appearance before Fisa’s World Motor Sports Council on Thursday, he shrugged and said: “We were told there is no higher court of appeal to go to...but we shall see.” He did not answer but smiled enigmatically when asked if he remained determined to take the former world champion’s appeal to the civil courts. Senna was fined SUSIOO,OOO ($168,000), censured for dangerous driving and given a suspended six-month ban from grand prix racing when he appealed last month against his disqualification from, the Japanese Grand Prix in October. Senna’s disqualification after finishing first in that race effectively ended his challenge for the world drivers’ championship, which was won by his McLaren teammate and rival Alain Prost of France. Prost collected his title medallion on Friday evening. He followed Mr Dennis on to the stage during an awards ceremony virtually transformed into an orgy of French celebrations. Jean Alesi, Formula 3000 champion, and JeanLouis Schlesser, world sportscar champion, collected the other major drivers’ titles. Mr Dennis, aware of the purpose of the awards ceremony, was reluctant to be drawn into any controversy and, during his brief acceptance speech, congratulated Prost, who has now joined Ferrari, on his third world title. He also congratulated Prost on his part in the McLaren championship effort ’