Because it's started already - the politicst that is:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/category/story.cfm?c_id=66&objectid=10481206

Lewis Hamilton must wait until a month before the start of the Formula One season to hear whether McLaren will be penalised further next year for having confidential Ferrari information.

The governing International Automobile Federation (FIA) said yesterday it had deferred to February 14 a ruling on whether McLaren's 2008 car was untainted by this year's spying controversy.

If something incriminating is found, despite McLaren's assurances that they have nothing that can be traced to their Italian rivals, the team could start the season with a points penalty.

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But beyond the points penalty, it will only give McLaren a month to get their car changed and compliant for the season.

You don't need a crystal ball to know that the FIA have already decided that McLaren are guilty - they just want to make sure that they fuck up 2008 for them as well. Why don't they just etch Ferarri's name on the title for the next fifty years - and fuck Formula 1 totally in the process.