FIA confirms it wrote to principals, McLaren drivers
Formula One's governing body has confirmed that it has written to teams saying it suspects McLaren drivers had evidence that could incriminate the championship leaders in a spying controversy with Ferrari. In a letter, seen by Reuters at the Italian...
Formula One's governing body has confirmed that it has written to teams saying it suspects McLaren drivers had evidence that could incriminate the championship leaders in a spying controversy with Ferrari.
In a letter, seen by Reuters at the Italian Grand Prix on Friday, International Automobile Federation (FIA) President Max Mosley wrote to team principals last week seeking information.
"As you will be aware, the FIA has recently investigated whether, how and to what extent McLaren was in possession of confidential Ferrari technical information," he wrote.
"The FIA has subsequently been made aware of an allegation that one or more McLaren drivers may be in possession, or that such drivers have recently been in possession, of written evidence relevant to this investigation. In the interests of the sport and the championship, it is important that the FIA, as the regulator, establish unequivocally and rapidly whether or not this allegation has any basis in fact," continued Mosley.
McLaren suspended their chief designer Mike Coughlan in July after 780 pages of Ferrari technical information was found at his home. Ferrari suspect it was sent to him by their now-dismissed employee Nigel Stepney, although the Briton has denied the accusation.
The FIA said on Wednesday it had received new evidence and reconvened its highest authority, the World Motor Sport Council, for a hearing in Paris on Sept. 13. If found guilty of using Ferrari data, McLaren could be kicked out of this year's and next year's championship. The team have denied incorporating any of the information in their car.
The FIA letter formally requested that the team bosses produce copies of any documents in their possession that were sent by or to any McLaren driver. It said documents included emails, text messages, drawingsand diagrams.
"In particular .... the FIA wishes to receive copies of any electronic communications howsoever conveyed or stored which may be relevant to this case, and which make reference to Ferrari, Nigel Stepney or any technical or other information coming from, or connected with, either Ferrari or Mr Stepney," added Mosley.
"You will appreciate that there is a duty on all of those involved in our sport to ensure the fairness and legitimacy ofthe Formula One world championship."
McLaren drivers Hamilton, Alonso and test driver Pedro de la Rosa received separate letters from the FIA. Unsourced media reports on Friday suggested that emails between Spaniard De la Rosa and compatriot Alonso, allegedly relating to the setup of the car, may have triggered the new hearing. De la Rosa raced for now-defunct Arrows in 1999 and 2000,the team that formerly employed Coughlan.
Asked about Mosley's letter and any replies, an FIA spokesman said it would be "inappropriate to comment on any ofthe new evidence in advance of the world motor sport council hearing."
The FIA later today published the letter that was sent to De La Rosa. It said:
"As you will be aware, the FIA has recently investigated whether, how and to what extent McLaren was in possession of confidential Ferrari technical information," the letter said. "The FIA has subsequently been made aware of an allegation that one or more McLaren drivers may be in possession, or that such drivers have recently been in possession, of written evidence relevant to this investigation.
"In the interests of the sport and the Championship it is important that the FIA as the regulator establishes unequivocally and rapidly whether or not this allegation has any basis in fact.
"The FIA therefore formally requests that you produce copies of any relevant documents which may be in your possession or power of procurement and which may be relevant to this case. For these purposes “documents” includes all written materials such as e-mails, letters, electronic communications, text messages, notes, memoranda, drawings, diagrams, data,. or other material, stored in any physical, “hard copy” or electronic form. In particular (though without limiting the generality of this request), the FIA wishes to receive copies of any electronic communications (howsoever conveyed or stored) which may be relevant to this case and which make reference to Ferrari, Nigel Stepney or any technical or other information coming from or connected with either Ferrari or Mr Stepney. In the event that you are aware of the existence or previous existence of any document falling within the above description but are not in a position to produce it, please describe the content of the document in question, the circumstances under which it came to your knowledge and the reasons why you are unable to produce it. In the event that you are unsure as to whether any document falls within the above description, kindly submit it (or a description of it) and the FIA will assist in making a determination.
"You will appreciate that there is a duty on all competitors and Super Licence holders to ensure the fairness and legitimacy of the Formula One World Championship. It is therefore imperative that if you do have any such information, you make it available to us without delay. I can confirm, given the importance of this issue, that any information you may make available in response to this letter will not result in any proceedings against you under the International Sporting Code or the Formula One regulations. However, in the event that it later comes to light that you have withheld any potentially relevant information, serious consequences could follow.
"We are sending identical letters to Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton. We look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience. Thank you very much for your co-operation."
Meanwhile Fernando Alonso told a Spanish newspaper that he had not revealed any illegal action by McLaren to the FIA. "This is a lie," he said.
He also denied claims that he wants to see McLaren punished so that he can wriggle out of his contract with the team.
"No way. I believe that if they sanction the team they sanction me. I am part of the team and we would share the same problem. We are here do win the world drivers' and constructors' titles" he told AS.
"We are leading the two and there is no person in the team who thinks that they are going to sanction us or something is going to happen."
In a letter, seen by Reuters at the Italian Grand Prix on Friday, International Automobile Federation (FIA) President Max Mosley wrote to team principals last week seeking information.
"As you will be aware, the FIA has recently investigated whether, how and to what extent McLaren was in possession of confidential Ferrari technical information," he wrote.
"The FIA has subsequently been made aware of an allegation that one or more McLaren drivers may be in possession, or that such drivers have recently been in possession, of written evidence relevant to this investigation. In the interests of the sport and the championship, it is important that the FIA, as the regulator, establish unequivocally and rapidly whether or not this allegation has any basis in fact," continued Mosley.
McLaren suspended their chief designer Mike Coughlan in July after 780 pages of Ferrari technical information was found at his home. Ferrari suspect it was sent to him by their now-dismissed employee Nigel Stepney, although the Briton has denied the accusation.
The FIA said on Wednesday it had received new evidence and reconvened its highest authority, the World Motor Sport Council, for a hearing in Paris on Sept. 13. If found guilty of using Ferrari data, McLaren could be kicked out of this year's and next year's championship. The team have denied incorporating any of the information in their car.
The FIA letter formally requested that the team bosses produce copies of any documents in their possession that were sent by or to any McLaren driver. It said documents included emails, text messages, drawingsand diagrams.
"In particular .... the FIA wishes to receive copies of any electronic communications howsoever conveyed or stored which may be relevant to this case, and which make reference to Ferrari, Nigel Stepney or any technical or other information coming from, or connected with, either Ferrari or Mr Stepney," added Mosley.
"You will appreciate that there is a duty on all of those involved in our sport to ensure the fairness and legitimacy ofthe Formula One world championship."
McLaren drivers Hamilton, Alonso and test driver Pedro de la Rosa received separate letters from the FIA. Unsourced media reports on Friday suggested that emails between Spaniard De la Rosa and compatriot Alonso, allegedly relating to the setup of the car, may have triggered the new hearing. De la Rosa raced for now-defunct Arrows in 1999 and 2000,the team that formerly employed Coughlan.
Asked about Mosley's letter and any replies, an FIA spokesman said it would be "inappropriate to comment on any ofthe new evidence in advance of the world motor sport council hearing."
The FIA later today published the letter that was sent to De La Rosa. It said:
"As you will be aware, the FIA has recently investigated whether, how and to what extent McLaren was in possession of confidential Ferrari technical information," the letter said. "The FIA has subsequently been made aware of an allegation that one or more McLaren drivers may be in possession, or that such drivers have recently been in possession, of written evidence relevant to this investigation.
"In the interests of the sport and the Championship it is important that the FIA as the regulator establishes unequivocally and rapidly whether or not this allegation has any basis in fact.
"The FIA therefore formally requests that you produce copies of any relevant documents which may be in your possession or power of procurement and which may be relevant to this case. For these purposes “documents” includes all written materials such as e-mails, letters, electronic communications, text messages, notes, memoranda, drawings, diagrams, data,. or other material, stored in any physical, “hard copy” or electronic form. In particular (though without limiting the generality of this request), the FIA wishes to receive copies of any electronic communications (howsoever conveyed or stored) which may be relevant to this case and which make reference to Ferrari, Nigel Stepney or any technical or other information coming from or connected with either Ferrari or Mr Stepney. In the event that you are aware of the existence or previous existence of any document falling within the above description but are not in a position to produce it, please describe the content of the document in question, the circumstances under which it came to your knowledge and the reasons why you are unable to produce it. In the event that you are unsure as to whether any document falls within the above description, kindly submit it (or a description of it) and the FIA will assist in making a determination.
"You will appreciate that there is a duty on all competitors and Super Licence holders to ensure the fairness and legitimacy of the Formula One World Championship. It is therefore imperative that if you do have any such information, you make it available to us without delay. I can confirm, given the importance of this issue, that any information you may make available in response to this letter will not result in any proceedings against you under the International Sporting Code or the Formula One regulations. However, in the event that it later comes to light that you have withheld any potentially relevant information, serious consequences could follow.
"We are sending identical letters to Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton. We look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience. Thank you very much for your co-operation."
Meanwhile Fernando Alonso told a Spanish newspaper that he had not revealed any illegal action by McLaren to the FIA. "This is a lie," he said.
He also denied claims that he wants to see McLaren punished so that he can wriggle out of his contract with the team.
"No way. I believe that if they sanction the team they sanction me. I am part of the team and we would share the same problem. We are here do win the world drivers' and constructors' titles" he told AS.
"We are leading the two and there is no person in the team who thinks that they are going to sanction us or something is going to happen."