> Ferrari-McLaren Spy scandal

McLaren to co-operate with FIA

McLaren has promised to continue to co-operate with the FIA, following the governing body's announcement that it intends to re-open the spy-gate investigation.

The FIA announced that new evidence has come to light since it found the team guilty of breaching Article 151c of the Sporting Code on July 26 after McLaren's suspended technical director was caught in possession of confidential Ferrari documents.

At the time of the first hearing the FIA warned it would re-invite McLaren to appear before the World Motor Sport Council should any further evidence be uncovered that Ferrari's information was used to the detriment of the world championship.

McLaren, and its team principal Ron Dennis, have maintained their innocence through-out the affair, and released a statement on Thursday saying: "McLaren Racing has been made aware that new evidence has been presented to the FIA as part of their on-going investigation.

"As a result we have been informed that the Court of Appeal Hearing scheduled for the 13th September in Paris will now comprise a meeting of the WMSC.

"McLaren will continue to co-operate fully with the FIA."

The nature of the evidence, and it's origin, remains unclear, but should McLaren be found guilty in the second hearing, then it could face disqualification from the 2007 and 2008 world championships.

Ferrari: The truth will out

Ferrari says it is confident the "truth will out" after confirming that it will attend the re-convened World Motor Sport Council meeting in Paris on September 13, following the FIA's revelation that it has new evidence connected to the spy-gate scandal.

The team released a statement in Monza on Thursday ahead of the Italian Grand Prix which suggesting it believed that not all the facts had yet been heard.

"Ferrari notes the FIA's decision to call an extraordinary meeting of the World Motor Sport Council to examine new evidence that has emerged with regards to the accusation that Vodafone McLaren Mercedes has violated article 151c of the International Sporting Code," read the statement.

"Ferrari will be present at the Council meeting on the 13th September in Paris and wishes to reaffirm its own strong wish that all the elements in this case are brought to light.

"Ferrari is confident that the truth will out."

Star driver Kimi Raikkonen added that he hoped the hearing would draw a line under the affair.

"I don't really know much about the whole thing," he told ITV Sport.

"I heard that there is some new evidence but we just have to wait and see what happens and hopefully whatever is the truth will come out, and they make the right decision."

Alonso linked to spy row evidence

Speculation is mounting in Monza that world champion Fernando Alonso could be among those at the centre of the spy scandal engulfing Formula 1.

The FIA announced on Wednesday that it had new evidence over the affair and will reconvene the World Motor Sport Council to question McLaren further next Thursday, having already found the team guilty without charge of being in breach of Article 151c of the international sporting code for possessing a confidential Ferrari dossier in July.

The source and nature of the evidence in question has been the subject of intense rumour in the Italian Grand Prix paddock.

But ITV-F1.com understands that it could be linked to an email conversation between Alonso and McLaren test driver Pedro de la Rosa that contained set-up information on Ferrari's F2007 that pre-dates the dossier incident that sparked the scandal.

The FIA is believed to have been tipped-off to the nature of this email and subsequently sent correspondence to McLaren's drivers, as well as all the teams, reminding them that it was their duty to provide the governing body with information pertaining to the case.

Alonso and de la Rosa are also thought to have been offered an 'amnesty' from any censure in return for their full cooperation.

Alonso was not permitted to answer questions from the press on the matter on Thursday, and McLaren has insisted that it intends to co-operate fully with the FIA.

But if the team is found guilty, the punishments could range from a contructors' points deduction and a heavy fine to a full disqualification from this season and 2008.

Next Thursday's hearing would not bring an end to the matter however as McLaren would almost certainly appeal any such sentence or take the matter to a civil court.

The FIA refused to comment on any correspondence with the McLaren drivers but a spokesman has confirmed that the two men at the centre of the scandal, the sacked Ferrari engineer Nigel Stepney and suspended McLaren technical director Mike Coughlan, have not been summoned to the WMSC hearing next Thursday.

And contrary to reports in the Italian press, though Stepney wrote a letter to the FIA last week, it is not believed to have contributed to the 'new evidence' in question.

Stepney's letter is thought to be connected to his own innocence and Italian newspaper La Reppublica quoted his lawyer Sonia Bartolini as saying: "There is not anything from Ferrari's point of view. This is just the start of the story, the surprises will be many and explosive."

Stepney and Coughlin must still prove to the FIA why they should granted permission to continue working in Formula 1.

"Mr Stepney and Mr Coughlin have not been called to the FIA World Council Meeting," said an FIA spokesman.

"Those proceedings will be dealt with entirely seperately."

So, more than just crying abt his new team and complaining abt everything on this planet, Crybaby does seem to have been involved in this...

McLaren approaches FIA about Renault

McLaren has raised questions about the rival Renault team with Formula 1’s governing body, it emerged on Tuesday, as its own fate hangs in the balance ahead of Thursday’s FIA World Motor Sport Council hearing into the espionage case.

Rumours have been gathering pace since the Italian Grand Prix that the Woking squad is planning to argue as part of its defence case that if it is considered culpable and deserving of punishment then so should several rival teams.

The FIA has confirmed to ITV-F1.com that McLaren has brought “certain matters regarding Renault F1” to its attention, but would not divulge the nature of the query.

Spanish media reports have suggested that it concerns a technical aspect of Renault’s car rather than something directly pertinent to the spying case – and the FIA said it would not affect the deliberations of the WMSC and would be dealt with separately.

“We can confirm that McLaren lawyers have recently brought to our attention certain matters regarding Renault F1,” stated an FIA spokesman.

“But we can also confirm that the [Renault] team does not form any part of our investigations into McLaren’s alleged breach of Article 151c of the International Sporting Code.

“The FIA has reminded McLaren that the World Council hearing in Paris on Thursday will focus solely on the new evidence in that investigation.

“To the extent required, any other matters will be dealt with as part of an entirely separate process.

“Renault F1 is aware of this and is happy to cooperate.”

McLaren has been advised by its lawyers not to comment on the spy case until Thursday’s hearing and maintained that silence when asked about the Renault matter.

But Renault boss Flavio Briatore dismissed suggestions that his team will be dragged into the spying investigations, saying it remained “calm” and accusing his McLaren counterpart Ron Dennis of “throwing stones everywhere” in an attempt to deflect pressure.