Stepneygate flares up once more

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The Stepneygate crisis has been reignited with the FIA confirming that they are in possession of new evidence relating to the spying and espionage scandal.

After convening in July, the World Motor Sport Council decided against imposing any sanction on McLaren, who were accused of benefiting from the Ferrari documents that their now suspended chief designer Mike Coughlan had in his home.

The WMSC found the Woking team not guilty due to a lack of evidence.

However, F1's governing body said on Wednesday that it had received new evidence in the case, and that a hearing was scheduled for 13th September 13 in Paris.

McLaren again face the prospect of being thrown out of the World Championship and the FIA have invited the British team, along with Ferrari, to attend the meeting.

"Following receipt of new evidence, the World Motor Sport Council has been reconvened for a hearing in Paris on September 13," read an FIA statement.

A spokesman said the FIA were "not in a position to make any comment at this stage."

Exclusion

At the initial hearing in July, the FIA reserved the right to revisit the case by saying: "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...McLaren 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."

With the emergence of new evidence, motorsport's governing body has thus decided to exercise that right.

Ferrari were angered by the initial verdict which let their rivals McLaren off the hook and the FIA president Max Mosley sent the decision to the International Court of Appeal.

But with news of a second hearing, the appeal has been cancelled.

"The FIA President's referral of the matter to the International Court of Appeal has been withdrawn," the FIA's statement concluded.
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Oooer, SkySports the source btw
 
http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=40534

News
Alonso linked to spy row evidence
Thursday, 06, September, 2007, 18:14

Speculation is mounting in Monza that world champion Fernando Alonso could be among those at the centre of the spy scandal engulfing Formula 1.

The FIA announced on Wednesday that it had new evidence over the affair and will reconvene the World Motor Sport Council to question McLaren further next Thursday, having already found the team guilty without charge of being in breach of Article 151c of the international sporting code for possessing a confidential Ferrari dossier in July.

The source and nature of the evidence in question has been the subject of intense rumour in the Italian Grand Prix paddock.

But ITV-F1.com understands that it could be linked to an email conversation between Alonso and McLaren test driver Pedro de la Rosa that contained set-up information on Ferrari's F2007 that pre-dates the dossier incident that sparked the scandal.

The FIA is believed to have been tipped-off to the nature of this email and subsequently sent correspondence to McLaren's drivers, as well as all the teams, reminding them that it was their duty to provide the governing body with information pertaining to the case.

Alonso and de la Rosa are also thought to have been offered an 'amnesty' from any censure in return for their full cooperation.

Alonso was not permitted to answer questions from the press on the matter on Thursday, and McLaren has insisted that it intends to co-operate fully with the FIA.

But if the team is found guilty, the punishments could range from a contructors' points deduction and a heavy fine to a full disqualification from this season and 2008.

Next Thursday's hearing would not bring an end to the matter however as McLaren would almost certainly appeal any such sentence or take the matter to a civil court.

The FIA refused to comment on any correspondence with the McLaren drivers but a spokesman has confirmed that the two men at the centre of the scandal, the sacked Ferrari engineer Nigel Stepney and suspended McLaren technical director Mike Coughlan, have not been summoned to the WMSC hearing next Thursday.

And contrary to reports in the Italian press, though Stepney wrote a letter to the FIA last week, it is not believed to have contributed to the 'new evidence' in question.

Stepney's letter is thought to be connected to his own innocence and Italian newspaper La Reppublica quoted his lawyer Sonia Bartolini as saying: "There is not anything from Ferrari's point of view. This is just the start of the story, the surprises will be many and explosive."

Stepney and Coughlin must still prove to the FIA why they should granted permission to continue working in Formula 1.

"Mr Stepney and Mr Coughlin have not been called to the FIA World Council Meeting," said an FIA spokesman.

"Those proceedings will be dealt with entirely seperately."
 
Ouch... where there's smoke, there's a five-alarmer going on... jeeeeeeezzzz... :ouch:
 
Wow wow wow, what I've heard in the Spanish TV...

Apparently, the FIA e-mailed Hamilton, Alonso and De La Rosa, asking them for ANY documentation, letter or e-mail that could be relationed to the whole spy thing... And menaced them with a severe punishment if they didn't cooperate and McLaren was found guilty. Alonso, after pondering that deeply and talking to DLR (or that's what he told to the Spanish media) decided to give the FIA every single private e-mail he had, and there seems to have some proof in them.

Now, who thinks Alonso has the slightest chance to stay at McLaren, hmm? :D
 
here is the email http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=40548

The FIA has made public a copy of the letter it sent the three McLaren drivers asking for any evidence they may have concerning Formula 1’s on-going spying controversy.
In identical letters sent to race drivers Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton and test driver Pedro de la Rosa, FIA president Max Mosley said the sport’s governing body had been made aware that one or more of the team’s drivers may be in possession of written evidence relevant to the case.
“In the interests of the sport and the Championship it is important that the FIA as the regulator establishes unequivocally and rapidly whether or not this allegation has any basis in fact,” the letter read.
“The FIA therefore formally requests that you produce copies of any relevant documents which may be in your possession or power of procurement and which may be relevant to this case.
“For these purposes “documents” includes all written materials such as emails, letters, electronic communications, text messages, notes, memoranda, drawings, diagrams, data,. or other material, stored in any physical, “hard copy” or electronic form.
“In particular (though without limiting the generality of this request), the FIA wishes to
receive copies of any electronic communications (howsoever conveyed or stored) which may be relevant to this case and which make reference to Ferrari, Nigel Stepney or any technical or other information coming from or connected with either Ferrari or Mr Stepney.”
The FIA’s revelation earlier this week that it has received new evidence relating to the case had promoted huge speculation in the Monza paddock on Thursday.
Although the nature or source of this evidence wasn’t disclosed, it is understood that it could be linked to an email conversation between Alonso and de la Rosa that contained set-up information on Ferrari's F2007 that pre-dates the dossier incident that sparked the scandal.
As reported on Thursday, in letters sent to both the teams and the three McLaren drivers the FIA reminded them of their duty to provide any relevant information.
“You will appreciate that there is a duty on all competitors and Super Licence holders to ensure the fairness and legitimacy of the Formula One World Championship,” the letter to the McLaren drivers said.
“It is therefore imperative that if you do have any such information, you make it available to us without delay.”
The letter to the McLaren drivers also confirms that they were offered an 'amnesty' from any punishment in return for any relevant evidence – but warned they faced "serious consequences" if they held back information.
“I can confirm, given the importance of this issue, that any information you may make available in response to this letter will not result in any proceedings against you under the International Sporting Code or the Formula One regulations,” the letter said.
“However, in the event that it later comes to light that you have withheld any potentially relevant information, serious consequences could follow.”
 
Geezus...this really is all going tits up, for McLaren as well as the sport...still...at least the documents apparently prove Ferrari's moving floor so they're in the **** themselves unless that's been dealt with. As to this...wonder who gave them the evidence/tip off...
 
<_Spike_>
Geezus...this really is all going tits up, for McLaren as well as the sport...still...at least the documents apparently prove Ferrari's moving floor so they're in the **** themselves unless that's been dealt with. As to this...wonder who gave them the evidence/tip off...
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I think it's going to hurt McLaren far more than Ferrari, if they get caught. Ferrari have already been slapped for the illegal floor, so I can't see them getting further punishment. If, however, it's proven that McLaren have been testing their car against illegaly obtained Ferrari specs, I think they should catch a packet. If they've cheated, then whatever they or their drivers do in this season is going to be hollow, so as far as I am concerned they may as well get excluded. Even if they only take constructors points away and Hamilton or Alonso win the drivers championship, if they did it knowingly or unknowingly by cheating, it's an empty victory.

If they cheated. I hope they didn't, because I like McLaren, but it's looking increasingly grim.
 
Webber's view http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=40539


Red Bull Racing star Mark Webber has told ITV Sport that he believes the off-track allegations facing McLaren over the latest twists in Formula 1's spy scandal could negatively affect on its drivers on-track this weekend.

The Australian says he can empathise with Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton's plight as it's team faces fresh charges of alleged espionage ahead of next Thursday's renewed World Motor Sport Council meeting.

"I think you would definitely go to sleep at night having in the back of your mind that you have enough things in this game that you can't control, let alone having that to bear," he told ITV Sport's Ted Kravitz.

"As a driver it would be very, very frustrating to have this cloud over you.

"If you were in those poor guys shoes, to potentially lose a lot of their results. They know what they have achieved this year, that's still in their guts, but in terms of the results being taken away from them would be very, very tough.

"It's not a five minute job what McLaren has done this year, there is a lot of hard work and toil gone in to it irrespective of what information they may have had from other teams," he added.

"They have still done a more consistent job than anyone else in the pitlane this year.

"Okay it's hard to draw the line on what information they have had to be able to do that, but that we may never know."

Webber also said that he though it would be a shame for the sport if the actions of a few individuals cost McLaren, and Formula 1fans, a chance to play out the world championship battle.

"Unfortunately there is a lot of off-track stuff in this business that does effect on-track stuff and that is where this line is now going to be drawn; behind them or in front of them and I think obviously for the case to re-heard in front of a few more people in Paris is not in McLaren's favour," he observed.

"It’s getting smelly and it's disappointing that potentially two or three guys could screw the whole thing because it is down to those guys with low morals, who are not trustworthy and not respectful of the guys they have worked with, and they have stuffed the whole thing."
 
The full letter in PDF format is available in the link here.

Max Mosley
Dear Mr De La Rosa,

As you will be aware, the FIA has recently investigated whether, how and to what extent McLaren was in possession of confidential Ferrari technical information. The FIA has subsequently been made aware of an allegation that one or more McLaren drivers may be in possession, or that such drivers have recently been in possession, of written evidence relevant to this investigation.

In the interests of the sport and the Championship it is important that the FIA as the regulator establishes unequivocally and rapidly whether or not this allegation has any basis in fact.

The FIA therefore formally requests that you produce copies of any relevant documents which may be in your possession or power of procurement and which may be relevant to this case. For these purposes "documents" includes all written materials such as emails, letters, electronic communications, text messages, notes, memoranda, drawings, diagrams, data, or other material, stored in any physical, "hard copy" or electronic form.

In particular (though without limiting the generality of this request), the FIA wishes to receive copies of any electronic communications (howsoever conveyed or stored) which may be relevant to this case and which make reference to Ferrari, Nigel Stepney or any technical or other information coming from or connected with either Ferrari or Mr Stepney.

In the event that you are aware of the existence or previous existence of any document falling within the above description but are not in a position to produce it, please describe the content of the document in question, the circumstances under which it came to your knowledge and the reasons why you are unable to produce it.

In the event that you are unsure as to whether any document falls within the above description, kindly submit it (or a description of it) and the FIA will assist in making a determination. You will appreciate that there is a duty on all competitors and Super Licence holders to ensure the fairness and legitimacy of the Formula One World Championship.

It is therefore imperative that if you do have any such information, you make it available to us without delay. I can confirm, given the importance of this issue, that any information you may make available in response to this letter will not result in any proceedings against you under the International Sporting Code or the Formula One regulations. However, in the event that it later comes to light that you have withheld any potentially relevant information, serious consequences could follow.

We are sending identical letters to Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton. We look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience. Thank you very much for your co-operation.

Yours sincerely

Max Mosley
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F1-Live.com
An Italian newspaper on Friday published excerpts of what it claims is the 'new evidence' that could cast a pall over Formula One and, particularly, Ron Dennis' McLaren team.

Following the FIA's confirmation that one or more of the team's drivers could be in possession of key evidence, La Gazzetta dello Sport quoted sections of an email exchange between test driver Pedro de la Rosa and his Spanish countryman, world champion Fernando Alonso.

"Do you know that I've found out how Ferrari is able to get its tires to work to perfection?" de la Rosa was quoted as writing to Alonso earlier this year.

He added: "Nigel Stepney told Mike Coughlan."

"I don't believe it," Alonso reportedly replied.

If de la Rosa is proved to have known not only about Coughlan's possession of the 780-page Ferrari dossier but also its contents, the ramifications could be grave for leading management of the Mercedes-powered team, another Italian newspaper claimed on Friday.

McLaren already faces the prospect of a two-season disqualification at next Thursday's extraordinary hearing of the World Motor Sport Council, and the newspaper La Repubblica said team boss Ron Dennis and seven others - including Coughlan and Nigel Stepney - could also be charged criminally and even jailed.

The Rome based daily said prosecutors in Modena believe 'senior figures within McLaren' have known about, used and withheld their knowledge about the Ferrari secrets since March.

McLaren stated today that they are unable to comment on the case.
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If that turns out to be the truth, well, I’m not looking forward to the outcome of the appeal. :indiff:
 
It truly will be a major pain for McLaren...I am a massive McLaren fan and it would rip me apart to see the season of 07 and 08 become nothing for the team and it's drivers...but if they have genuinely cheated...even as a fan I can't condone that myself. It hurts to say, but they'll deserve what they get if this is indeed totally true.
 
Anything about this that's published in the British, Spanish or Italian newspapers right now I would take with a large pinch of salt. If it doesn't come straight from the FIA, I'm treating it as either exaggerated or completely made up. I'm not familiar with La Gazzetta dello Sport, but I assuming it's a tabloid...
 
Roo
Anything about this that's published in the British, Spanish or Italian newspapers right now I would take with a large pinch of salt. If it doesn't come straight from the FIA, I'm treating it as either exaggerated or completely made up. I'm not familiar with La Gazzetta dello Sport, but I assuming it's a tabloid...
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Indeed, hence if at the start of my post.
 
La Gazzetta dello Sport is probably the most subjective sports newspaper in Italy, and it wouldn't be the first time they've released false data for their own profit. The same goes for the spanish newspapers AS and Marca, just so you know.
 
Oh, and about Alonso and DLR sending their e-mails and Hamilton staying loyal to Ron, I've heard he said he didn't have Internet at home that night, so he couldn't send them.

Let's see... How many times have I used that excuse too...? :rolleyes:

Source: Catalan F1 TV coverage. It's not spanish, so I believe them.
 
That thing about Hamilton's lack of email was written here, in an Israeli sports-paper, and in formula-1.updatesport.com as well.
 
They need to hurry up and make a ruling over this. I'm not a huge McLaren fan, but it's just casting a shadow over all their wins. It's going to be crap if they end up winning the championship and then are found guilty and have everything ripped away.
 
Considering the impact it would have on F1, I don't think they will punish McLaren enough to change the championship results no matter how much evidence they have against McLaren or how guilty they might be, or how much it may have helped them this season. I suspect at the most they'll spank McLaren's proverbial wrist, tell them not to ever do something like that again, and sweep it under the rug and move on.

If it was up to me, I'd hand the 2007 championships over to BMW if for nothing more than keeping their nose clean, performing well, and having driver's who act professional and not like spoiled little children who act more imature than 8-year olds in Go-Carts, or like a 2-diemensional sleep-inducing monotone robot. ;)

[/RANT]
 
I don't know, they had their share of in-team fights as well ;)

But yes, as you said: the chances of the FIA actually "deleting" McLaren from 2007 and 2008 is next to nill, seeing as Hamilton is the next big thing, the in-team fights are the big story, and everything at McLaren this year brought in so many fans...
 
Bram Turismo
I wouldn't be surprised if Mclaren was found guilty but nothing would happen to be honest...
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I think you're half - right. I think they'll get punished, but the punishment will be tailor made to preserve the championship race. Eg. They lose constructors points but the drivers are left free to compete. Or McLaren get a huge fine and a suspended points docking sentence. Anything not to alienate the viewers, because historically, FIA sentences have always seemed to favour the popular public desire. So when Ferrari hadn't won in 20 years or whatever, and everyone wanted to seetheir then new superstar Schumacher do it for them, the punishments tended to keep the opposing teams within striking distance of Ferrari. On the other hand, when Ferrari, or any other team were dominant, the punishments tend to favour the opposition.

Personally, I'd love to see Hamilton win the championship, because it's never been done before by a rookie, and the chances of a rookie being in such a strong position and in such a strong car in the future, while being as fast as Hamilton and making as few mistakes, are slim. So seeing a rookie take a top car in his first season and win the F1 world championship may well be a once in a lifetime thing. That excites me. But if McLaren have been cheating, and the FIA let Hamilton fight for the championship till the end of the season, and he wins, in my opinion I've seen nothing at all. Even if he himself is innocent, if his car is faster because of cheating, then his own achievement will mean nothing.

The thing is, the FIA have a habit of accompanying their punishments with a statement that is something like "we are sending a message to the teams that they will not get away with this sort of behaviour" blah blah. In fact, the message they usually send out, to the general public at least, is more like "our decisions are driven by the desire to increase television viewer figures, and are not driven by any desire to present a fair sporting contest within the rules we have set out".

So I agree, McLaren will, IF guilty, likely get off lightly, or at least its drivers will, in so much as they'll be allowed to continue contesting the championship. Or they'll have one or two race results docked from them (i.e. just enough to bring the two Ferraris back in striking distance EDIT: Oh, and such a ruling will be made just in time for either the penultimate or perhaps final race of the season, to ensure the championship goes down to the wire). Max's letter offering indemnity already opens the door for that even if it turns out the the McLaren is actually a repainted Ferrari! Their intentions are already clear, as far as I'm concerned. What I'd LIKE to see, despite being a McLaren fan, is the FIA throwing them out of the drivers and constructors championships, as would happen in, say athletics. But it won't happen. There's too much money in the sport to allow fair play to get in the way of profit. It's like watching Pro Wrestling in cars.
 
the world council has stated in teh previous verdict that McMerc could face disqualification from 07 and 08 if they were found to have used the information .... so I don't see how they would get off lightly if they were found gulity of such a thing .... this spy crap is starting to ruin one of the best seasons in a long time
 
BMW318ciC
the world council has stated in teh previous verdict that McMerc could face disqualification from 07 and 08 if they were found to have used the information .... so I don't see how they would get off lightly if they were found gulity of such a thing .... this spy crap is starting to ruin one of the best seasons in a long time
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I believe you answered that question in your post. They said "could", not "would", and besides, what would prevent them from simply choosing to suppress any additional evidence from the public record, thus giving them an "out" and the opportunity to justify why they won't disqualify McLaren, thus successfully protecting F1's business interests.

No matter what happens, the damage is done, and F1 in the eyes of many will have lost a tremendous amount of integrity.
 
"By the way, guys, we might have to throw your team out of this and next year's championships, but don't worry, because 'any information you may make available in response to this letter will not result in proceedings against you under the International Sporting Code or the Formula One regulations'."

Oh, that's all right then. I'm sure Fernando, Lewis and Pedro can sleep easy at night knowing that they might be out of a job but it won't be their fault and they won't be punished... because not racing for a season isn't a punishment at all.

Prehaps I'm just bitter and sick of the whole thing already.
 
Alfaholic
So I agree, McLaren will, IF guilty
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Remember, McLaren are guilty. This was determined at the first hearing. This hearing is basically about figuring out how guilty they really are and what punishment they deserve.
 
Blake
Remember, McLaren are guilty. This was determined at the first hearing. This hearing is basically about figuring out how guilty they really are and what punishment they deserve.
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Very good point indeed, I stand corrected.
 
Said E-mail apparently not that true?



Article
A journalist has admitted that he invented the contents of the supposed email that may be part of FIA's 'new evidence' against McLaren.

As the espionage saga scaled new heights in the Monza paddock, La Gazzetta dello Sport published this exchange between Pedro de la Rosa and Fernando Alonso: "Do you know that I've found out how Ferrari is able to get its tires to work to perfection?" de la Rosa said.

"Nigel Stepney told Mike Coughlan."

"I don't believe it," Alonso replied.

But Italian journalist Pino Allievi has now confessed to concocting the exchange in order to make his article about the existence of the email "more credible".

"I made a free interpretation of what might have been said in the email," he told AP, insisting that the hypothetical nature of the drivers' dialogue was mentioned on his article published on Friday.
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It seems like McLaren wants to bring others down with them. They've accused Renault of some irregularities in their car and some newspapers are saying they'll also accuse Ferrari of irregularities during the meeting this thursday.
 

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