McLaren say leaked Ferrari data not used

Formula One leaders McLaren reassured Ferrari yesterday that they had not used any leaked technical information from their rivals to design their own race-winning cars.

McLaren have suspended a senior employee, identified in media as chief designer Mike Coughlan, pending an investigation into the receipt of classified information from Ferrari.

Ferrari said they had taken legal action in Italy against their former technical manager Nigel Stepney and the McLaren employee, whom they did not name, "regarding the theft of technical information".

McLaren issued a statement yesterday to dampen speculation that the revelations could affect the drivers' and constructors' championships.

"McLaren has completed a thorough investigation and can confirm that no Ferrari intellectual property has been passed to any other members of the team or incorporated into its cars," the team said.

"In order to address some of the speculation, McLaren has invited the FIA to conduct a full review of its cars to satisfy itself that the team has not benefited from any intellectual property of another competitor," it added.