At the specially-convened meeting of F1's World Council later this month, the FIA will ask McLaren how long suspended designer Mike Coughlan had in his possession confidential Ferrari information -- and how many colleagues he told.

As the media speculates as to how the powerful governing body will react to the tale of espionage, it has emerged that FIA sources believe Coughlan may have had the 780-pages of sensitive material since the beginning of the season.

Ferrari's Italian lawyers, meanwhile, also believe that McLaren Managing Director Jonathan Neale, who reports to Martin Whitmarsh and Ron Dennis, knew about Coughlan's possession of the dossier, as well as possibly some others.

It would, for example, answer the question as to why McLaren sought clarification on the rules for moveable floors earlier this year -- a perfectly legitimate enquiry that genuinely impacted title rival Ferrari's pace when it had to alter the underbody design of the F2007 racer.

It must be said that such clarifications are often requested by teams during any season. Last year, Renault went through the same process when the FIA decided that its mass-damper system had to be outlawed, a decision which cost the French team in overall speed before other modifications improved its pace.
This year, the FIA hardened its testing process when it was reported that certain teams were using flexible parts on their wings.

It remains however that McLaren's moveable floors question is among about 30 others that the FIA has compiled ahead of the meeting in Paris on July 26. Interestingly, it is believed that the governing body completed its list of questions, probing McLaren's affairs for the period March-July, only after reportedly viewing Coughlan's sworn affidavit outlining his knowledge of the affair.

An FIA spokesman reinforced the seriousness of the looming summit, which could result in hefty penalties for McLaren, including total exclusion from the Wworld Championship.

He said: "We don't call an emergency meeting of the World Motor Sport Council lightly."

D.B. (C) CAPSIS International
Source GMM

latest about the spy scandal.... 
http://www.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/new...715140554.shtml

McLaren knowledge may spell disaster for team
Even clarification questions are under scrutiny

so wat is the most likely punishment mclaren will face?

If it is really that serious, then - expulsion from the WDC and WCC

Mike Coughlan has sworn in his affidavit that he told several fellow McLaren employees about his possession of reams of secret Ferrari material.

Italian newspaper La Repubblica reproduced excerpts of the document, which as part of a private agreement with Ferrari cannot be used by Italian prosecutors in a case against the suspended engineer.

But, if it is the truth, the signs are not good for Woking based McLaren, which has so far insisted that only chief designer Coughlan knew about the sensitive information that was in his possession earlier this year.

"It's true," Coughlan reportedly wrote in his sworn statement. "I had all the designs.

"It was my responsibility. I showed those designs to McLaren and not just to (Managing Director) Jonathan Neale but to others as well.


"Everyone reacted the same way and told me to get rid of them."

At an emergency World Council meeting later in July, the FIA will question McLaren about its involvement in the espionage saga. Possible sanctions range from docked points and race bans to total exclusion from the world championship.

Coughlan did not confirm that Ferrari's Nigel Stepney sent him the material, explaining that he received the package from a courier mail service.

Source GMM
CAPSIS International

   

http://www.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/new...716095101.shtml

Coughlan admits telling others about secrets
Still no confirmation of the source
is this the truth ?

Habis la.. McLaren...  He admit he show to others some more this news made it to public..  ... 

WOuldn't it be nice to laugh at every McLaren fan

McLaren is concerned that erroneous speculation has arisen from inaccurate and misleading reference to the contents of confidential legal papers filed at court in response to Ferrari's UK action to recover its intellectual property. This is unfortunate and is prejudicial to a fair interpretation of these matters.

McLaren can confirm from its own investigation that no Ferrari materials or data are or have ever been in the possession of any McLaren employee other than the individual sued by Ferrari. The fact that he held at his home unsolicited materials from Ferrari was not known to any other member of the team prior to the 3rd July 2007.

Furthermore, McLaren has categorically established that no Ferrari information has at any stage been used to develop its car.

McLaren looks forward to having the opportunity to present the complete and accurate picture of events in the appropriate forum, that is before the FIA World Motor Sport Council in Paris on 26th July 2007.

Source McLaren Racing
CAPSIS International

Nigel Stepney is now threatening to sue Ferrari for so-called mafia-like behaviour. Stepney, who triggered Formula One's espionage scandal by allegedly tampering with fuel tanks and sending reams of secret material to a rival, told the Observer newspaper earlier this month that he had to flee Italy because he feared for his family's life.

"There have been high-speed car chases," claimed the beleaguered Briton, who has a one-year-old child with his partner Ash.

Stepney, facing criminal charges, also said Ash had been 'stalked at (our) house' and had identified 'tracking gear' on their car.

His lawyer Sonia Bartolini told the Italian newspaper La Repubblica on Monday: "Obviously, if it is confirmed that Ferrari are behind this, it would be very serious. If that was the case, the Maranello people will be called to answer for it in court."

E.A.
Source GMM

hope McLaren get excluded from da championship as a punishment.. serves them rite..

Fernando Explains Stepneygate to Cousin Pedro

funny stuff