Journalist admits to inventing email
September 11th 2007 01:31
Email exchange fabricated
The Gazzetta dello Sport writer wrote an article last week, hot on the heels of the FIA’s announcement that they have found new evidence against McLaren in the ongoing espionage scandal.
In it, Allievi concocted a conversation between the Spanish teammates, which explicitly stated the involvement of accused former Ferrari engineer, Nigel Stepney and suspended McLaren designer, Mike Coughlan.
The story read:
‘De la Rosa: “Do you know that I've found out how Ferrari is able to get its tires to work to perfection?…Nigel Stepney told Mike Coughlan."
Alonso: "I don't believe it".’
However, Allievi claims that after learning that the quotes were fabricated, the media has been too harsh on him.
He told the Associated Press: "I made a free interpretation of what might have been said in the email."
Formula One websites seized the opportunity to use thequotes as yet more startling evidence against the embattled team, who are set to appear before the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council on Thursday, to be tried and possibly sanctioned with expulsion.
Following the Gazzetta dello Sport article, the FIA did confirm that emails and other communications sent to and from McLaren were being examined, and could be used as evidence.
Alonso, who bluntly denied ever seeing the fictional emails, did concede that he was obliged to cooperate with the FIA in handing over evidence.
“When the highest authority of a sport obligates you to cooperate, there is no way to object - it is not a choice," said the defending champion.
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