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.
"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."
(China Daily via Reuters July 27, 2007)