Formula One news

No penalty for 'guilty' McLaren

FIA World Motor Sport Council has decided not to penalise McLaren for suspended chief designer Mike Coughlan's possession of Ferrari documents. Although the WMSC found the Woking-based outfit in breach of the sport's rules through Coughlan's actions, it concluded that the team has not used the information to its advantage.

Thus it supports McLaren's claims that none of the technical data was used to benefit the MP4-22, which has won half of this season's races. The FIA World Motor Sport Council produced the following statement after this afternoon's hearing:

"The WMSC is satisfied that Vodafone McLaren Mercedes was in possession of confidential Ferrari information and is therefore in breach of article 151c of the International Sporting Code. However, there is insufficient evidence that this information was used in such a way as to interfere improperly with the FIA Formula One World Championship. We therefore impose no penalty.

"But if it is found in the future that the Ferrari information has been used to the detriment of the championship, we reserve the right to invite Vodafone McLaren Mercedes 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 WMSC's findings support McLaren's avowal that Coughlan and Nigel Stepney acted alone and the council now calls upon them to defend their actions with a view to suspending them from working in motorsport.

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

more news

• 03 Dec.
  • Alonso threatens to quit F1
  • Alonso talks up 2009 chances
• 02 Dec.
  • An interview with Kazuki Nakajima
  • McLaren to present 2009 contender January 16th
  • Hockenheim hanging in the balance
  • BMW tempering 2009 title talk
• 01 Dec.
  • Renault thrills 100,000 fans on the streets of Sao Paulo
  • Briatore targets championship title in 2009
  • 'Grosjean not ready for F1 yet'
  • Nicolas Prost eyes F1 test after winning F3000 championship
  • Photos: Piquet demo at Sao Paulo
  • Photos: Desafio Internacional das Estrelas 2008
• 30 Nov.
  • Barrichello wins Massa kart race
  • Di Resta happy to start in midfield team
• 29 Nov.
  • Fisichella insists seat is safe
  • Middle East circuits to work together
• 28 Nov.
  • Photos: Construction at Abu Dhabi
  • Tiago Monteiro confirms the acquisition of GP2 team
  • Button says Honda wins possible in 2009
• 27 Nov.
  • BMW set for Valencia launch
  • Donington Grand Prix: No cars please!
  • Webber expects to test in February
  • Opportunity to race with Michael Schumacher?
  • Hartley stands in for Webber
  • Italian F3 drivers enjoy F1 debut at Ferrari
  • Photos: Wednesday in Fiorano
  • Jordan blasts medal plans
• 26 Nov.
  • Ecclestone aiming for medals in 2009
  • LG signs as F1 global sponsor
  • Sir Frank Williams endorses karting for the disabled
  • Toyota to unveil TF109 15 January
  • Santander to switch from McLaren to Ferrari
  • Montoya 'has turned down F1 offers'
• 25 Nov.
  • Red Bull buys back Toro Rosso stake
  • Rosberg aims for better season next year
  • Barrichello admits Ferrari team orders
  • Australian Grand Prix expects Webber at the grid
  • Villeneuve fastest in Speedcar test
  • Coulthard becomes a father
• 24 Nov.
  • Coulthard and Jordan join BBC

Homepage