McLaren-Mercedes Won't Appeal Penalties

The McLaren-Mercedes Formula One team will not appeal the $100 million fine handed down by the FIA's World Motor Sport Council as a result of its involvement in the Ferrari industrial espionage scandal. The WMSC also stripped the team of its constructors' championship points earned this season after it determined in a Sept. 13 hearing that several team members had been in possession of confidential Ferrari information given originally to suspended McLaren designer Mike Coughlan by disgruntled Ferrari chief mechanic Nigel Stepney.

McLaren argued at a previous hearing that Coughlan was a "rogue" employee acting on his own and that he did not disseminate the information wi! thin the team. The FIA accepted that argument and issued no penalties, but reserved the right to revisit the matter if new evidence came to light. When it emerged later that McLaren race driver Fernando Alonso and test driver Pedro de la Rosa had exchanged e-mails referring to some of Ferrari's confidential data, a new hearing was scheduled, the result of which was the fine and points deduction. McLaren had the option to appeal the verdict, but team boss Ron Dennis hinted that he would rather pay the fine and receive "closure" on the entire affair.

McLaren Racing has notified the FIA of its intention not to appeal the verdict of the World Motor Sport Council, as announced on September 13, 2007.

Having now had time to study the judgement of the World Motor Sport Council with its lawyers and shareholders, McLaren thinks it is in the best interests of the sport, and its goal of winning races and world championships, not to appeal.

It is clear f! rom the full judgement that the World Motor Sport Council conc! luded th at the charge that a McLaren employee had "unauthorised possession of documents and confidential information" was proven.

Despite the existence of no evidence that the information was applied, tested or shared with the engineering team (which it was not), this possession constitutes a breach of the Code. To our regret and embarrassment, the content of the previously unknown e-mails demonstrated possession not being limited to a single person, albeit unsanctioned in any way by the team. For this breach of Article 151c, a very heavy penalty has been imposed on the team.

The major principle of the issue for McLaren is: this information was not used to gain advantage on its cars.

Moving forwards, and in consultation with our shareholders, we will now review and further strengthen our internal compliance structures and processes.

Ron Dennis said: "We believe the time has come to put this huge distraction behind us. McLaren wants to win ! races and world championships. We are fortunate to have, and continue to receive, unwavering support from our employees, sponsor partners and Formula One fans across the world--all of whom are equally keen that we totally focus on winning this year's drivers' championship and the remaining three races of the season."

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