Quote Originally Posted by ArrowsFA1
True, but it is a question RD has answered time and time again, so he could have fired off a dismissive response. Instead, his tone was respectful while still rejecting JYS's view.

I think the point that JYS was not a party to the full facts is an important one. Few people had all the facts, but on the basis of the facts available there was an impression (JYS was not alone in holding this view) that the FIA were over zealous in their pursuit of McLaren. He was perfectly entitled to express his view, just as Max was perfectly entitled to refute that opinion.

However, to refute the opinion in the way that he did was, as Damon Hill wrote in his letter to Autosport, "nothing other than a wicked joke designed to visit the utmost humiliation on its victim...It is conduct most unbecoming of an FIA president and, in my humble view, brought the sport into disrepute, a crime he seems so keen to eradicate...I would like to emphasise that my motive for writing is sheer indignation and outrage at what I see as abuse."

Strong stuff, but there was (and remains) a view that Max 'crossed a line' with his comments.
Not in max's mind. As a practioner of sadism, his punishment of JYS crossed no lines. Indeed it brought no blood. Therefore "utmost" is hardly an appropriate term for Max's behavior.

Strange that Hill would write:"nothing other than a wicked joke designed to visit the utmost humiliation on its victim...It is conduct most unbecoming of an FIA president and, in my humble view, brought the sport into disrepute, a crime he seems so keen to eradicate...I would like to emphasise that my motive for writing is sheer indignation and outrage at what I see as abuse."

Well now, imagine that. Damon Hill has more insight as Max's mental state than I would have thought possible at the time he wrote that. Hill's opinion has now been proven true as what Hill describes "abuse" and "humilation on its victim" is merely conduct consistent with max's own court testimony as to his real character and joys in life.

BINGO

And one could add in the following from the same letter:"Regardless or not of whether he was alluding to his dyslexia, what he said was a gross insult to one of the sport's leading figures over the last four decades and a thrice world champion. Not only is it bad manners, it also calls into question the character and judgment of the man who represents motor sport throughout the world through the august institution of the FIA." No way it could call that into question, as after all, max has been "vindicated" , but does leave open the question as with that insight into Max's judgment and character, did Hill know someone in M15......