Fixing Report Spurs Formula One Meeting

The world’s governing body for auto racing has called Formula One teams to a meeting in the wake of a report that two of them fixed the European Grand Prix and helped Jacques Villeneuve win the series title.

The (London) Times reported Saturday that Villeneuve, who drives for the Williams-Renault team, permitted Mika Hakkinen of McLaren-Mercedes to win the final event of the season. The victory at Jerez, Spain, on Oct. 26 was the first of Hakkinen’s career.

The newspaper reported it has examined two taped conversations between pit crews and drivers for the Williams and McLaren teams that showed they “effectively orchestrated the order of the first three cars across the line.”

Neither the teams nor racing officials would comment on the report, the newspaper said.

Max Mosley, chairman of FIA--the world governing body for the sport--has summoned Formula One’s 11 team owners to a meeting in London on Friday, where he will forbid collusion, the report said.

The newspaper said the McLaren cars of Hakkinen and David Coulthard had been blocking for Villeneuve, who needed to finish ahead of two-time series champion Michael Schumacher to win the title. Villeneuve finished third behind Hakkinen and Coulthard, who also passed him.

The newspaper said Williams race engineer Jock Clear was heard telling then-leader Villeneuve to allow Hakkinen to pass him on the final lap.

“Keep concentrating, Jacques,” Clear said. “Hakkinen is immediately behind.

“Last lap. Last lap. Hakkinen has been very helpful. Jacques, position two. Don’t let me down, Jacques. We discussed this . . .”

Moments later, Hakkinen overtook Villeneuve to win the race.

On the 48th of 69 laps, Schumacher collided with Villeneuve, leading the Canadian to accuse the German of trying to put him out of the race.

Instead, Schumacher went out, losing any chance he had to win the title unless Villeneuve failed to finished in the top six.