100 million is no small amount that one can just write off...
McLaren's future i must admit is in serious doubt if that is the case...
All i can say is that it's another farcical decision by the FIA
And where is the transparency? The FIA haven't provided any transcript of the hearing nor has it produced the evidence that they have claimed ruled McLaren to have used the data. It's all very fishy to me.

And this quote from P-F1 sums it best

McLaren boss Ron Dennis has expressed his frustration at the punishment handed out to his team on Thursday, maintaining that the Ferrari data found in the possession of suspended chief designer Mike Coughlan was never utilized by the team.

In a lengthy statement issued after the FIA's decision to fine McLaren and strip them of their 2007 constructors' points, Dennis insisted his team did not deserve such a penalty and claimed that the World Motor Sport Council hearing had failed to prove a case against them.

He said he could only speculate as to why Coughlan had amassed the Ferrari information in question, and said the FIA would find no problem with McLaren's 2008 car, as the team have never used intellectual property belonging to a rival.

Full statement from Ron Dennis:

"The most important thing is that we will be going motor racing this weekend, the rest of the season and every season. This means that our drivers can continue to compete for the World Championship. However having been at the hearing today I do not accept that we deserved to be penalised in this way.

"Today's evidence given to the FIA by our drivers, engineers and staff clearly demonstrated that we did not use any leaked information to gain a competitive advantage.

"Much has been made in the press and at the hearing today of emails and text messages to and from our drivers. The World Motorsport Council received statements from Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton and Pedro de la Rosa stating categorically that no Ferrari information had been used by McLaren and that they had not passed any confidential data to the team.

"The entire engineering team in excess of 140 people provided statements to the FIA affirming that they had never received or used the Ferrari information.

"We have never denied that the information from Ferrari was in the personal possession of one of our employees at his home. The issue is: was this information used by McLaren? This is not the case and has not been proven today.

"We are also continually asked if McLaren didn't use the information, what was the reason for Stepney and Coughlan collecting all this data about Ferrari? We can only speculate as neither Coughlan nor Stepney gave evidence at today's hearing, but we do know that they were both seeking employment with other teams, as already confirmed by both Honda and Toyota.

"There will be no issue for the 2008 season as we have not at any stage used any intellectual property of any other team.

"We have got the best drivers and the best car and we intend to win the World Championship."

Following today's World Motor Sport Council hearing in Paris, Ron Dennis, Chairman and CEO of the McLaren Group, and Martin Whitmarsh, COO of the McLaren Group, held a brief press conference. Please find the transcript of the open Q&A session below.

What is your next course of action?

Martin Whitmarsh:"We believe we have got the grounds for an appeal, but of course we are going to wait for the findings of the FIA, which we believe are going to be published tomorrow, and will consider those carefully before we make that decision.

Bearing in mind the precedent that has been set by this, do you feel now that you are the only team in Formula 1 who deserves to be punished for this sort of espionage? Do you feel that there are other teams out there who are doing the same thing and thus should receive the same punishment?

Martin Whitmarsh:"The starting point is we do not believe that we should have been punished in this way. I think today we should just concentrate on this hearing and this situation, not what's happening to other teams."

Do you think FIA president Max Mosley's attitude has changed from the last World Motor Sport Council meeting since the first hearing in July?

Ron Dennis:"I have no comment on that."

What was the new evidence given to the FIA today and the FIA statement says that your drivers are not punished because they helped the FIA to make the truth?

Ron Dennis: "I can tell you that the evidence today was primarily email traffic between our drivers, and in one instance, Mike Coughlan."

Martin Whitmarsh: "As we've said earlier, these were a few emails, and the drivers have stated categorically that no information was passed to the team."

Ron Dennis: "And of course the team had no knowledge of this email traffic at any stage."

How damaging financially is a fine of that size to a company like McLaren?

Ron Dennis: "Firstly, effectively, we will still have as an offset the revenue from the points earned to date. That will probably, effectively half the size of the cheque that we ultimately have to sign, if we ultimately accept this fine. But as you can see if you read our accounts, we turn over roughly $450-500 million a year, and we are debt-free. So obviously we are a very strong company, phenomenal growth."

Would something like today make you consider your future?

Ron Dennis: "My personal future was never in question as far as I was concerned. I'm very committed to this company, I'm very passionate about motor racing, and I have absolutely no intention of retiring. Save for I've made a firm commitment to Martin to succeed me as CEO, and that decision, whenever it's taken, will not have any bearing on today's affair or any other issue of this year."

How is this going to affect the future of your drivers?

Ron Dennis: "We have contracts with both of our drivers, multi-year contracts, and there has been no discussion about varying them. We have two of the best drivers in the world, and our commitment to winning races is undiminished. That's what we exist to do, is to win races. If there is any variation to those contracts, it will be by mutual agreements."

Do you have a feeling after today that the FIA is measuring with two measuring sticks?

Ron Dennis: "I'm not going to make any comment as to the FIA's findings, other than the fact that we are firmly of the opinion that we definitely do not concur with their findings. But until we have all the details from the FIA, it is impossible for me to have a position on it. They've issued the penalties, but they haven't issued the actual findings, and it would be wholly inappropriate for me to make any comment until we have those findings."

- ENDS -

100M! that's not small amount (may be small amount for Roman, hahaha), but 100M, how many years of sponsorship only can earn back that amount?
They are in deep shit situation....

In order for Hamilton to get WSC, he at least need to get 2 4th place n 1 2nd place.

its not easy. But i feel that Alonso will be infront of him for the nx 3 race.

DRIVER STANDINGS

01  Lewis Hamilton  97
02  Fernando Alonso  95 [If win remaining 3 = 125]
03  Kimi Räikkönen  84 [If win remaining 3 = 114]
04  Felipe Massa  77

http://www.formula1.com/

Lewis perfomance really unconsistant now,he always behind Fernando not like early of the season
btw i dont think Ferrari will always get 1-2 in 3 remaining race,maybe McLaren will win one of the 3 race

On my way to work, i heard on the radio that Ron has admitted that he and alonso is not on speaking term.

yeah came out in newspaper also.....

By Scott Dougal, PA Sport

The bitterness of the divide within McLaren was confirmed today when it was revealed Fernando Alonso had not spoken to team boss Ron Dennis for six weeks.

According to Dennis, the Spaniard is unhappy he does not get the preferential treatment over rookie team-mate Lewis Hamilton he believes he deserves as world champion.

Dennis admitted he had not talked to Alonso since a row at the Hungarian Grand Prix in his evidence at a World Motor Sport Council hearing in Paris on September 13, the transcripts of which have been published today.

Dennis said: "We are not on speaking terms, but that does not matter."

The boss, referring to the conversation in Hungary on August 5 in which Alonso had told him he had information which could be used against McLaren in the spy controversy involving the British team and Ferrari, said: "We have not had any conversations since that point.

"First, the relationship between Fernando and myself is extremely cold. That is an understatement.

"In Fernando's mind, there is the firm belief that our policy, whereby each driver receives equal treatment, does not properly reflect his status as world champion.

"He bases this assertion on the fact his experience and knowledge and what came to him from his former team is such that he should receive an advantage."

The row with Alonso, which led to the Spaniard's disclosure he had knowledge of Ferrari technical information, came after Alonso lost pole position following a dispute with Hamilton.

Dennis testified he had summoned Max Mosley - president of world motor sport's governing body, the FIA - immediately on hearing Alonso's claims.

The new information was examined at the World Motor Sport Council hearing earlier this month which concluded with McLaren being fined £50million and stripped of all points in the constructors' championship.

Dennis also revealed McLaren had asked Alonso to attend the Paris hearing, but the Spaniard had refused.

He added: "Alonso is not here because he does not want to be here.

"He does not speak to anyone much. He is a remarkable recluse for a driver. He is not here by choice.

"Moreover, he said he had other things to do by previous arrangement. I cannot force him to come. We asked him to come."

The transcripts also confirmed reports Mosley had argued Hamilton and Alonso should also be penalised as well as the team, claiming they could be stripped of their Formula One championship points acquired so far but remain free to compete for the rest of the season.

Mosley feared that unless sanctions were also applied to the drivers as well as the team, Formula One's reputation would be damaged.

He compared the use of illegally obtained technical information to the use of performance-enhancing drugs in cycling and athletics.

"If we allow wholesale transfer of information from one team to another, without the consent of the team from which that comes, this calls into question every issue of fairness," said Mosley.

"Sponsors, the television and the public would conclude that Formula One has gone down the same road as cycling or athletics.

"We must make sure that this does not happen. Unfortunately, if an athlete is given drugs without his knowledge by his trainer, it is grossly unfair both for him, for he is not morally responsible for the offence, and for the other athletes, who did not have the benefit of the drugs."

However, Hamilton's lawyer successfully argued that such a penalty would not be "fair or proportionate" - an argument to which the World Motor Sport Council appear to have listened.

hm i think he was trying to find the best racing line but when wide and lost control...

2 bad 4 the 1st time no constructors trophy 4 mclaren which i barely seen in my whole life

after the race,Dennis said Alonso have problem with his suspension after hitting by Vettel
thank u Vettel,Webber and Fernando will kill u

Formula One stewards have chosen not to penalise McLaren's Lewis Hamilton after an enquiry into his driving behind the safety car in last weekend's Japanese Grand Prix.

The investigation followed suggestions that erratic driving by Hamilton had been responsible for Toro Rosso's Sebastian Vettel crashing into the rear of Mark Webber's Red Bull. Webber and Vettel were running second and third behind Hamilton at the time and both were eliminated in the incident.

Vettel was initially blamed for the shunt and was given a ten-place grid penalty for this weekend's Chinese Grand Prix as a result. However, after hearing evidence from all three drivers, and in light of the unusually severe weather conditions at the time of the accident, the stewards decided that sanctions were not appropriate and reduced Vettel's punishment to a reprimand.

Friday's decision means Hamilton could wrap up the 2007 drivers' title in China on Sunday.

that a bad news to me. alonso chances to get world champion will be slim for that.

That is wat a true fans called... others might b a Glory Hunter? haha i dunno

Just ignore him. He's not worth it. He trolls all the time even in the football forums.

i knew it .. kimi won the title .. YEAH ..

McLaren have announced that former world champion Fernando Alonso is to leave the team, after both parties agreed to a 'mutual parting of ways'. Alonso, who joined the British squad from Renault at the start of 2007, did have two years left to run on his contract.

The statement released on Friday revealed that, after discussions, it had been decided 'it would be in the best interests of both parties to bring the relationship to an end'.

Although Alonso won four races during the 2007 season, and finished third in the championship battle, relations between the Spaniard and McLaren had become increasingly strained in recent months.

"He is a great driver but for some reason the combination of Vodafone McLaren Mercedes and Fernando has not really worked out, and in the end we reached a stage where none of us could find a way to move forward," explained McLaren team principal Ron Dennis. "We all believe that our joint decision to part company is for the best, and we will now continue to focus on our 2008 world championship challenge.

"Everybody at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, especially McLaren's Spanish Partners Banco Santander and Mutua Madrilena and the team's title partner Vodafone, want to wish Fernando all the best for the future,"

For his part, Alonso said that, although he never really felt at home at McLaren, he still believed they were a great squad.

"Since I was a boy I had always wanted to drive for McLaren, but sometimes in life things do not work out," explained the 26 year-old. "I continue to believe that McLaren is a great team. Yes, we have had our ups and downs during the season, which has made it extra-challenging for all of us, and it is not a secret that I never really felt at home.

"I know there have been suggestions of favouritism within the team and people say a lot of things in the heat of battle, but in the end I was always provided with an equal opportunity to win. Today's decision allows all of us to focus on 2008, and I wish the team, Vodafone, Banco Santander, Mutua Madrilena and all the other team partners who I have worked closely with during the year, the best for the future."

The team also revealed that an announcement on Alonso's replacement would be made in due course.

LEWIS HAMILTON
Nationality British
Date of Birth 07/01/85
Place of Birth Stevenage , UK

Following its launch in Stuttgart earlier this week, McLaren's 2008 car made its track debut in Jerez early on Wednesday morning. Tester Pedro de la Rosa, who was tasked with taking the MP4-23 out on the Spanish circuit for the first time, pulled out of the garage at just after 0900 hours local time.

The Spaniard will be joined by newly-signed race driver Heikki Kovalainen later on in the day. Kovalainen, who raced for Renault in 2007, will take charge of a second MP4-23, as he makes his first on-track appearance for McLaren.

The squad, who are scheduled to test privately for the next three days, will concentrate on kick starting the 2008 car's on-track development, ahead of next week's multi-team session at the circuit.

Date: Friday 1st February 2008

Drivers: Lewis Hamilton and Gary Paffett

Location: Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona

Track Length: 4.655km

Weather: Dry and generally overcast with some sunny spells

Track temperature: 20.6°C

Air temperature: 13.2°C

Laps run today: Total - 131

Kilometres covered today: Lewis - 391km approx / Gary - 219km approx

Best lap time today: Lewis - 1m22.263 at 15:10 / Gary - 1m23.349 at 16:30

Programme: Gary joined Lewis at the Circuit de Catalunya today, as the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes test team kicked off this week's test at the challenging Barcelona track. The main programme for the day saw the pair focus on tyre evaluation with Bridgestone, with the Circuit de Catalunya providing a more high speed and abrasive surface compared to the previous test sessions. Today was Gary's first run in the MP4-23, and it was also his first test without driver aids. As a result Gary spent some time during the day familiarising himself with the 2008 package and during this process had a couple of minor spins. Earlier in the week the MP4-23 successfully passed all its FIA homologation tests required for the car to compete in the 2008 season.

Drivers for tomorrow: Lewis and Heikki

Duration of test: Three days (Friday 1st - Sunday 3rd February)

Unofficial Friday times from Barcelona:

1. Lewis Hamilton, McLaren, 1:22.263
2. Fernando Alonso, Renault, 1:22.889
3. Robert Kubica, BMW Sauber, 1:22.983
4. Giancarlo Fisichella, Force India, 1:23.015
5. Nick Heidfeld, BMW Sauber, 1:23.270
6. Gary Paffett, McLaren, 1:23.349
7. Nelson Piquet Jr, Renault, 1:23.367
8. Sebastian Vettel, Toro Rosso, 1:23.387
9. Nico Rosberg, Williams, 1:23.453
10. David Coulthard, Red Bull, 1:23.491
11. Mark Webber, Red Bull, 1:23.547
12. Sebastien Bourdais, Toro Rosso, 1:23.836
13. Kazuki Nakajima, Williams, 1:23.955
14. Rubens Barrichello, Honda, 1:24.125
15. Alexander Wurz, Honda, 1:26.975