McLaren escape penalty but threat remains

Sports / Motor Racing

McLaren escape penalty but threat remains

(Reuters)
Updated: 2007-07-27 08:52

LONDON - Formula One leaders McLaren emerged unpunished on Thursday from
a hearing into a spying controversy that threatened to wreck their title
hopes.

The International Automobile Federation (FIA) said in a statement that
although McLaren had Ferrari data in their possession, there was
insufficient evidence that they had gained any benefit from it.

Ferrari mechanics around Felipe Massa's car 22 July 2007. Formula One
giants Ferrari said Thursday they were outraged that rivals McLaren had
been cleared of any wrongdoing in the espionage affair that has rocked
the sport. [AFP]

"We therefore impose no penalty," it said.

However, the world governing body warned after the hearing in Paris that
the Mercedes-powered team could still be kicked out of this and next
year's championship if fresh proof emerged against them.

McLaren are 27 points clear of Ferrari with seven races remaining in a
championship led by their 22-year-old British rookie Lewis Hamilton.

His team mate, double world champion Fernando Alonso, is two points
adrift, with Ferrari's Brazilian Felipe Massa third, a further nine
points back.

McLaren team boss Ron Dennis, who attended the World Motor Sport Council
hearing in Paris, told reporters he was "not completely comfortable with
the outcome but the punishment fits the crime".

McLaren had argued that suspended chief designer Mike Coughlan, who was
found to have a quantity of Ferrari data at his home, acted without their
knowledge or authority and had not shared it with anyone else at the team.

The team said in a later statement it found the FIA's unanimous decision
to be "very balanced and fair" and accepted that there had been "a purely
technical breach" of the regulations.

"We believe we have acted correctly throughout," added Dennis, while
Hamilton and Alonso said they looked forward to an exciting end to the
season.

However, Ferrari found the lack of a sanction incomprehensible and added
in a statement that the FIA decision "legitimises dishonest behaviour in
Formula One and sets a very serious precedent."

SPY SAGA

Ferrari have taken legal action in Italy and England against Coughlan and
former Ferrari engineer Nigel Stepney.

The extraordinary meeting at the FIA's Place de la Concorde headquarters
warned McLaren that they could be summoned again if new evidence emerged
that they had used Ferrari information "to the detriment of the
championship".

The FIA said it "reserved the right to invite...McLaren back in front of
the WMSC where it will face the possibility of exclusion from not only
the 2007 championship but also the 2008 championship."

The 'spy saga' has gripped the glamour sport for weeks, with McLaren
stunned by revelations about Coughlan and his cache of Ferrari data.

Ferrari's lawyers argued in a document submitted to the London High Court
last week that it was 'likely' McLaren owed their lead to Coughlan
obtaining some 780 pages of highly sensitive data from the Italian team.

Coughlan, who provided an affidavit to the governing body and both teams,
and Stepney could now face bans from international motorsport.

The two had approached Honda together about job opportunities but Stepney
has denied he was the one who provided Coughlan with the information.
Honda have said they were not offered any Ferrari data.

"The WMSC will also invite Mr Stepney and Mr Coughlan to show reason why
they should not be banned from international motor sport for a lengthy
period," said the FIA.

"The WMSC has delegated authority to deal with this matter to the legal
department of the FIA."

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