Judgement Day for McLaren edges near
September 12th 2007 02:13
McLaren facing expulsion at Ferrari's behest
Not only will it decide the fate of McLaren however, but it will also
The espionage scandal that has raged over the past three months has McLaren facing possible expulsion from this years, and next years championships, should they be found guilty of using stolen Ferrari documents for competitive gain.
The gripping controversy is traced back to a 780-page dossier of sensitive Ferrari information that was discovered at the home of suspended McLaren designer, Mike Coughlan.
It has been alleged that the documents were given to Coughlan by sacked Ferrari engineer, Nigel Stepney, who is also being investigated for attempting to sabotage Ferrari at the Monaco Grand Prix.
An initial WMSC ruling found McLaren not guilty due to lack of proof, which enraged Ferrari who wanted some form of penalty imposed.
However, recent developments have led to the FIA summoning the Woking squad to Paris once again, with the discovery of new evidence.
McLaren were bombarded by controversial events over the course of the Italian Grand Prix, local police entered the paddock and served writs to several senior team members, while damning email conversations (later confirmed to be fabricated) were published, creating a whirling storm of rumour and accusation.
The teams dominating one-two win was overshadowed by the drama, and the impending Thursday hearing, which has coaxed many to forward their opinions.
Todt wants McLaren punished
“We didn't accept the July decision because we found proof the decision was not appropriate, said the Frenchman, “And then if you see the wording of the decision - in case of new evidence, things will be different. We will be able to produce new evidence.”
"It's a taint on the sport,” added Todt, “I think that we are sorry that it is happening in Formula One, but we are in the position where we want the truth to appear.
“That's all that we want, and all that we have been working on and doing, and we are confident that the truth will come through," he said.
However, former McLaren driver and television commentator, Martin Brundle jumped to McLarens defence, questioning the FIA’s motives behind pursuing action against McLaren.
"Inside the paddock we can't fathom how, previously, two Toyota F1 employees can be handed prison sentences for industrial espionage using Ferrari software, yet the FIA was not interested in getting involved, and how Colin Kolles from Spyker could walk down the pit lane with a drawing from rival Toro Rosso presented as evidence of cloned cars, yet the FIA took no action," Brundle wrote in his Times column.
“Is the FIA looking for McLaren heads to roll?" asked Brundle.
However, others were more concerned with the effects the scandal was having on F!, regardless of the outcome.
Williams team boss, Sir Frank Williams expressed his concern over detrimental effect the episode could have on F1’s business side.
"This may cost Formula One some business," said Williams.
"I just have a bit of concern that if it goes on much longer, it will deter sponsors who are currently present in F1, or who are close to coming in,” he said.
Triple world Champion, Jackie Stewart echoed Williams’ sentiments, as he told Reuters: “The very foundations of this sport are based on its financial structure".
"And that's based on multinational corporations having the confidence to come in to a sport of integrity. Why would we want to take our dirty washing and go out in the street and say 'look, my dirty linen is dirtier than yours,"? said the Scot.
Ready to face the music
"When you really think about that, you think 'wow, I could be out of a job next weekend and then what happens,'”? said the 22-year-old championship leader.
"F1 would not be the same without McLaren, so let's just keep our fingers crossed that nothing else is going to happen," He added.
Team principal, Ron Dennis, whose emotional display at the Italian Grand Prix, has taken a philosophical line in the face what could be his teams darkest hour.
“One of the things that I suppose I've learned from the chief executives whose companies support me is that they've faced similar challenges," Dennis told the Guardian.
"We'll emerge out of this situation, I hope, as a stronger organisation. But obviously we've got to give a very clear account of everything that's happened over the past few months. And that's what we'll do."
F1 Chief Executive, Bernie Ecclestone has been uncharacteristically silent over the course of the saga, however, he declared that the FIA were not to show any mercy.
“If you let someone get away with that, what's next? Then after that you let them get away because you've let that get away, what comes after that?…then there are no rules and regulations," said Ecclestone.
Dennis told Autosport: “The fact is that we're in a process, a very difficult process”.
“We are co-operating. Obviously, we have a disciplined legal team that is dealing with all the issues, a very good legal team,” he said.
“Ultimately we will do the most competent job we can, defending our team in the forthcoming World Council meeting.”
Their first line of defence, it was found, was to point the finger at rival teams to exemplify their apparently ignored misdeeds.
The team McLaren were first targeting was Renault, for reasons undisclosed.
FIA's feared Paris headquarers
"We have noted the speculation and we can confirm that McLaren lawyers have recently brought to our attention certain matters regarding Renault F1,” said an FIA spokesman told Autosport.
"But we can also confirm that the team (Renault) does not form any part of our investigations into McLaren's alleged breach of Article 151C of the International Sporting Code.”
Despite losing one of their original defence tactics, Mercedes motorsport chief, Norbert Haug remains stoutly positive of McLaren’s acquittal.
"I do not expect anything at all,” Haug told Premiere.
"I expect that we will have our own viewpoint confirmed, because we have not done anything that is against any rules," he said.
"We did not copy anything, but rather built a car with our own ideas. And I think we proved this (at Monza)."
As to whether or not he was worried about his team’s possible exclusion, Haug replied: "Not for a second - not even for a millisecond."
Tomorrow, this whole, convoluted mess will at least be partially cleaned up.
Its been called a ‘witch-hunt’, a ‘taint on the sport’ and a ‘very difficult process’.
But, in fact, it is one of the most important moments in the sport’s history, and it all takes place, behind closed doors in Paris tomorrow morning.
Watch this space.
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