Print

Mail

wiki links

McLaren-Mercedes appears in hearing

The Formula One leader, McLaren-Mercedes, went before a hearing yesterday to answer charges that its designer acquired confidential information from rival Ferrari.

The hearing was taking place at governing body FIA's world motor sport council in Paris. If found guilty, the team could have points deducted, be temporarily banned from races, or even be thrown out of the F1 championship.

Officials will study how Ferrari's information had ended up with suspended McLaren chief designer Mike Coughlan, and if other team officials were aware of the contents.

FIA asked that McLaren answer a charge that it broke the sport's code by acquiring documents and confidential information belonging to Ferrari, "including information that could be used to design, engineer, build, check, test, develop and/or run a 2007 Ferrari Formula One car."

McLaren has said its cars do not contain any Ferrari-related alterations. It suspended an employee for receiving a package of technical information from the Italian team. British newspapers identified the employee as Coughlan.

Autosport magazine has reported that Ferrari head of performance Nigel Stepney, who has since been fired, e-mailed Coughlan before the season even started with details of the moveable floor in Ferrari's cars.
This story has been viewed 1023 times.