Luca Corberi has appealed the FIA’s decision to ban him from racing for 15 years following his lash-out and controversial behaviour in a world karting championship event, with a hearing set for June 22. The 23-year-old shocked the motorsport community after a video of the 2020 world karting finals at Lonato went viral on social media. Corberi was seen throwing a bumper at fellow karter Paolo Ippolito after being involved in a collision with him the previous lap. Another video showed Corberi appearing to attack Ippolito in parc ferme, with the incident turning into a full on brawl. The Italian authorities and the FIA launched an investigation into the matter, with the governing body announcing a 15-year-ban on Corberi from competing in professional motorsport at the end of April following a meeting of the International Tribunal. The Tribunal said it considered a lifetime ban but deemed he should be given the chance to eventually make a return to motorsport upon serving an initial suspension Now, the FIA have put out a statement which said the International Tribunal will sit together again on June 22 following an appeal from Corberi. Corberi’s defence argued that Corberi’s actions were “in a state of anger, determined by the unjust fact of others” after a collision with Ippolito caused him to retire from the race. The other argument is that the Italian authorities had already taken action against him for the two incidents, the FIA was precluded from issuing further sanctions on the same grounds. An example of skiing was also given as reference, where an athlete was banned for only a single event after being found assaulting another competitor. "Luca Corberi has destroyed any chance of a racing career with his disgusting behaviour," said 2009 Formula 1 world champion Jenson Button at the time of the incident.
1312777784725516293
Karter Luca Corberi continues to vent his anger after the kart race. Somebody arrest this guy. (via @EstagiariodaF1 ) pic.twitter.com/R9Kuk2VI4G — F1 Feeder Series (@F1FeederSeries1) October 4, 2020
Full FIA Statement on Luca Corberi
On 4 October 2020, at the South Garda Karting circuit in Lonato, in the framework of the 2020 FIA KZ Karting World Championship Final, Luca Corberi was involved in the following incidents: (i) he threw the front fairing of his kart to the track while other drivers were still competing; (ii) he physically attacked another driver. On 1 February 2021, the President of the FIA decided to submit this case to the International Tribunal pursuant to Article 4.2 a) of the FIA Judicial and Disciplinary Rules. On 19 April 2021, the International Tribunal, after having heard the parties and examined their submissions, decided to: - Confirm the disqualification of Mr Luca Corberi from the competition of Lonato, Italy (2020 FIA Karting World Championship-KZ); - Impose to Mr Luca Corberi a suspension (Article 12.3.1.n of the FIA International Sporting Code (1) and a ban (Articles 5.2.2.b (2) and 5.2.2.d (3) of the FIA Judicial and Disciplinary Rules) for a period of 15 years starting on the date of coming into force of the decision of the International Tribunal. On 23 April 2021, Mr Luca Corberi decided to appeal the decision of the FIA International Tribunal.
Most read
