SiLo wrote: ↑03 Dec 2023, 23:46
This is basically just going to turn into free clicks for the media, an easy witch hunt for Merc haters, and a total mess to deal with for mods on forums like this.
You're overstating things. Hollus had to make a post encouraging people to think for 2 seconds. It's not like he's had to start warning or banning people left and right (at least it doesn't appear that way), or that this thread has spiraled into a 10 page flame war.
Discussing stuff like this, including the underlying issues of conflicts of interest, is what forums like these are for.
Getting back to the discussion:
SiLo wrote: ↑03 Dec 2023, 23:46
even if Wolff has been told this info, why would you punish him? He's not leaking the info, someone at the FIA/FOM is. Go after them.
One does not rule out the other. If you come into possession of proprietary information through no obvious fault of your own, you can still be liable if you decide to use that information for your own benefit (as in, acting in bad faith).
But ultimately, this is a problem for the FIA to solve. They are the primary responsible party for ensuring the integrity of the F1 competition.
Assuming the article is true for a second, I don't believe there's any cause to punish Mercedes here and now. There may, however, be cause for warnings being issued, meaning that the FIA issues a statement that says they may take steps further down the line, if any similar situations should arise, where it may seem that a team has come into possession of secret information ahead of time - especially if it appears that the team has used that information in bad faith.
In addition, it may also be a cause for the FIA to investigate if they have any potential conflicts of interests in the way they are structured and with the people they have employed.