Blowing whistles

Nelson Piquet recently blew the whistle on Renault's manipulation of the Formula One Grand Prix race last year at Singapore. The jury is still out on what penalty Renault would finally be forced to pay for the misdeeds of two of its senior-most executives (and possibly others). Fortunately, the incident did not have any effect on the race at the same venue held on Sunday 27 September, 2009. 

Where does Piquet stand in this episode? He became a whistle blower after he was given a 'raw deal' by the Renault management. Was his act out of penance; was it done to right a wrong; was it out of revenge? Whatever be the motive, would whistleblowers ever be appreciated for their deeds; would they ever be respected in their (professional) communities? OR, is it better to simply walk out and start all over again, rather than be tagged as a whistleblower and suffer for being one? 

Every organisation has its own little secrets - good, bad or ugly. It is sometimes a matter of opinion or perspective, too. Who would welcome or respect a whistleblower among their midst, whatever his motive? Would Piquet ever be welcomed back to racing again?

28-Sept-2009