McLaren sought title at appeal, Sauber says
The Swiss, who still owns a small stake of the outfit known as BMW-Sauber, said he did not believe McLaren chiefs who insist that the 'cool fuel' saga was not a veiled and desperate last effort to steal the crown from Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen.
"This season deserved a better finish," Sauber wrote in the Swiss newspaper Blick.
He pointed out that Martin Whitmarsh and Norbert Haug have been at pains recently to point out that the London hearing was simply about clarifying the rules.
But Sauber, referring to the argument barrister Ian Mill took to the court, said: "Apparently their lawyer thought something else.
"His strategy was clearly to establish the disqualification of Rosberg, Kubica and Heidfeld," Sauber added.
Sam Michael, technical director for Williams – the other team accused by McLaren of illegally chilling fuel in Brazil last month – said after the hearing that "the proper place" to seek a clarification about the rules is the Technical Working Group, not a court.
Ferrari test driver Marc Gene took an even stronger line, arguing that McLaren's failure to admit to wanting the title on appeal was akin to "lying".
"Now, it appears as though they wanted nothing more and nothing less," the Spaniard told the news agency EFE.
Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport headlined the Court of Appeal verdict on Friday as the "triumph of justice".
Tuttosport added: "A difficult year for formula one has ended. Hopefully now the true values of sport will return".