FIA And McLaren
Involved In
Ferrari Sabotage

It has been revealed that suspected Ferrari saboteur Nigel Stepney, illegally sent classified material to an employee at the McLaren team, prompting the FIA to become involved in the investigation. The individual at McLaren is believed to be the team's Chief Designer Mike Coughlan.

Coughlan's house was subsequently raided by British police and it became apparent that Ferrari material was found on the premises. Mike had also worked with Stepney at Bennetton and Ferrari, further the link between the two men. McLaren of course denies the that any information from another team has been used in the development of their car:

"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. McLaren has in the meanwhile openly disclosed these matters to the FIA and Ferrari and sought to satisfy any concerns that have arisen from this matter. 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."

Now of course it seems logical for McLaren to dismiss this speculation, but one must wonder that if the team's Chief Designer was receiving information on its main competitor then where did that information go? Surely he would not use it to improve the car he designs...

Both McLaren and Ferrari are now commencing internal investigations and Ferrari are to follow legal proceedings against Stepney and Coughlan. Since this matter affects the sport's top two teams and could have dramatic repercussions on the World Championship, the FIA is also to investigate the situation:

"With the full cooperation of both teams, the FIA has initiated an investigation into matters involving Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro and Vodaphone McLaren Mercedes. The remit of this investigation will focus solely on the requirements of the International Sporting Code and the Formula One Regulations."

While it is likely to take some time for the full effect of this controversy to be revealed, one thing is certain at the moment. This looks very bad for Nigel Stepney and most worrisome for McLaren. Largely as if it is found that any parts of the McLaren car with designed with the aid of data stolen from Ferrari, the Woking based team could incur massive fines, criminal sentences for its employees involved as well as penalties in or even exclusion from the World Championship.

Be sure to stay with Ferrari 1 for all of the latest news and breakthroughs in this controversy. Also, visit the Ferrari 1 Message Board for a full discussion on this issue.