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#13095
From itv.com/f1:

Formula 1's on-going spy scandal has taken a sensational new twist after the FIA announced on Wednesday that it is to re-open the investigation into a breach of Article 151c of the International Sporting code by the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team.

The world championship leaders were found guilty at the previous hearing of possessing confidential information belonging to Ferrari, but were not punished because the FIA had insufficient evidence to prove that the team had acted upon it in any way.

However the case, which was set for appeal on September 13, has now been referred back to the World Motor Sport Council after the FIA announced it had received new evidence on the matter.

For the record, FIA president Max Mosley's application for appeal has been withdrawn.

The sport's governing body warned in its previous verdict on the matter on July 26 that should new evidence come to light linking McLaren to the actions of the two individuals at the centre of the scandal - former Ferrari employee Nigel Stepney and McLaren's suspended technical director Mike
Coughlan - then the team could face severe sanctions.

The nature of the evidence, and it's origin, remains unclear, but should McLaren be found guilty in the second hearing, then it could face a lengthy period of disqualification.

“If it is found in the future that the Ferrari information has been used to the detriment of the championship, we reserve the right to invite Vodafone McLaren Mercedes back in front of the WMSC where it will face the possibility of exclusion from not only the 2007 championship but also the 2008 championship," read the statement at the time.

Both Coughlin and Stepney were also invited by the FIA, in the first hearing, to give reason why they should not be banned from internation motor sport for a lenghty period.

This latest news comes just days before the Italian Grand Prix and will undoubtedly put McLaren under further public scrutiny in a season where the team has been beset by controversy on and off the track.


With McLaren showing more pace than expected at the Monza test, it seems the Tifosi are slightly worried about not winning the Italian Grand Prix and getting back into both championships.

However, when you're Ferrari you can always call up your friends in the Ferrari International Association to try and disrupt your chief opposition's plans.

Ferrari have the FIA bought, paid for and in their pockets. The FIA are a spineless and corrupt group of men in grey suits, making decisions in smoke-filled rooms.

Contrary to what Ron Dennis said, if McLaren win this championship, it will be well deserved with the internal team problems and the FIA doing their utmost to assist Ferrari.
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By 7UpJordan
#13096
This is going to go on well into the close season just like the Carlos Tevez saga did.
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By racechick
#13110
The FIA usually step in to help Ferrari and/or destabalise McLaren when things look tricky for the scarlet team. Why break the habit now??
By Petem130
#13118
I've watched F1 since I was small and clearly remeber thr reports coming through of Jim Clarks death. I've enjoyed Jackie Stewart, Gilles, Arnoux, Jones, Warwick, Mansell, Senna and Prost at times.
I think it's fairly obvious to most F1 watchers that Ferrari want to win at all and any costs. You could argue that this is their right. However, I've felt uneasy about the team around Shumacher from the Benetton days thru to Ferrari. There were times when they suddenlt found speed against their rivals at extremelt short notice and improved by seconds. There were times when the middle stint of races showed them to be incredibly quick but never being able to show this speed at the first and third stints and other times when things went wrong with the car but they still managed to overcome incredible odds to win.
All F1 teams "cheat" in as much as they try to take every advantage of gaps and lack of clarity in the rules. This has become harder as the rules are tightened etc. The need to win is greater than ever with huge financial implications.
Whatever Stepney and the others were up to no one will ever really know however Stepney has an opportunity here. He says he knows where the bodies are buried so lets get the shovels out! sooner the better. Lets see how clean Ferrari are.
If McLaren get banned or are punatively punished I will stop watching F1. Not because I think they are the best team or the team I support but because this is all a farce. The governing body should have sorted it ut behind closed doors and gagged Ferrari.
Over the years Ferrari have always been my team of choice. Enzo and Gilles, the Italian way of doing things, the flat twelves...
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By Jabberwocky
#13121
I agree with you mate, but I do not think I would go as far as say I would not watch it anymore, however my love of Ferrari has taken a beating this year and I think it would be the final straw
By Petem130
#13125
Enzo would be spinning in his grave. He was an old so and so and could cause real grief where ever he went but he liked racing and facers. He wasn't as political as most.
Maybe the changes to the cars will make it more watchable. Maybe Ferrari will lose their way a bit. maybe Jean will retire.
Lets see Williams, Honda, RBR and Toyota join the front runners! Overtaking maybe?
We can but dream. :D
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By Selcouth_Feline
#13130
It'll be interesting to see what this "new evidence" is....
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By McLaren Fan
#13132
It'll be interesting to see what this "new evidence" is....

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By 7UpJordan
#13137
Lets see Williams, Honda, RBR and Toyota join the front runners! Overtaking maybe?
We can but dream. :D

How about Williams running things at the front? ;)
By the truth hurts
#13183
im not trying to be a smart arse or a racist but dont you find it funny that hamilton,dennis,and half of the fia are pommy. and there hasnt been a pommy world champion since hill in 1996? please dont take this the wrong way but watching coverage of the gps this year all talk is of hamilton.(put him in a even performing car then we can judge him) even when ferrari went to court the head of the fia was pleading to the judges and media to make nothing of it. it is proven the hamilton is number 1 at mclaren alonso knows that you know that everyone that follows f1 knows that. if the fia and world council dont punnish mclaren for cheating then non english teams like ferrari bmw honda renult shouldnt even bother showing up to gps in the future then and only then he can win a championship fairly.
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By McLaren Fan
#13191
im not trying to be a smart arse or a racist but dont you find it funny that hamilton,dennis,and half of the fia are pommy. and there hasnt been a pommy world champion since hill in 1996? please dont take this the wrong way but watching coverage of the gps this year all talk is of hamilton.(put him in a even performing car then we can judge him) even when ferrari went to court the head of the fia was pleading to the judges and media to make nothing of it. it is proven the hamilton is number 1 at mclaren alonso knows that you know that everyone that follows f1 knows that. if the fia and world council dont punnish mclaren for cheating then non english teams like ferrari bmw honda renult shouldnt even bother showing up to gps in the future then and only then he can win a championship fairly.

You keep telling yourself that. Clearly 'the truth hurts' you and that's why you have to come out with such crap. The reality is the exact opposite of what you say: Ferrari have and always will have the FIA (Ferrari International Association) in their back pockets. It's teams like McLaren and Renault (who were nearly screwed out of the title last season) that need not bother to show up to be treated as second-class teams and have rules which don't exist being used to penalise them.
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By darwin dali
#13193
On the other hand, this would bring some movement in the drivers market. If LH becomes available (with McLaren banned in 2008), you can bet that many teams will be licking their chops and would be willing to fork over insane amounts of $$$ to get him.
By the truth hurts
#13208
firstly mclaren boy if ferrari "had" the fia in there pockets mclaren would have been gone months ago secondly its mclaren who are the ones shooting themselves in the foot. you people are trying everything to avoid the massive problems mclaren have eg; ron dennis having a gentlemans "aggrement"with other team bosses to be honest with each other? then we find the spy scandle? (what happened to the gentlemans aggrement) then we as mclaren treat each driver equally ? yeah right lewis comes first every one knows that. then the scandle with their own drivers fighting over track position in the pits. then this gear box scandle?and speaking about renault didnt they win both titles last year? do you honestly think mclaren are the innocent ones? they have done nothing wrong? please ferrari wouldn,t cause all this drama if they didn,t have extencive proof! so before you start blaming others for your stuffups think about these things

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