Formula 1 Bracing For Another Controversy As Now Renault F1 Team Face Spying Charges
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Nov 08, 2007
Renault
Formula One is bracing itself for another ‘“spying" controversy after Renault learn they are to face a charge of possessing “confidential information” belonging to McLaren.
McLaren were themselves handed an unprecedented $100 million fine in September after being found guilty on a similar charge of obtaining information from Ferrari.
They were also stripped of all the points they had won towards the 2007 constructors’ championship.
Renault will appear before the motorsport council of world governing body, the FIA, on December 6 in Monaco. CNN.com
Formula One has become embroiled in its second spying scandal of the year after Renault were charged with possessing confidential information belonging to McLaren.
Ironically, it is a remarkably similar accusation to the one the Woking-based team faced in the season which has just finished and resulted in a record fine and expulsion from the constructors’ championship.
Allegations about Renault emerged in September as McLaren sought to defend themselves against their charge of having technical information belonging to Ferrari.
And motor sport’s governing body the FIA have now summoned Renault team representatives to Monaco for a hearing in front of the World Motor Sport Council on December 6 to answer a charge in relation to a breach of article 151c of the International Sporting Code. Carl Markham, SportingLife.com
The information includes “but (is) not limited to the layout and critical dimensions of the McLaren F1 car, together with details of the McLaren fuelling system, gear assembly, oil cooling system, hydraulic control system and a novel suspension component used by the 2006 and 2007 McLaren F1 cars, “ the FIA statement said.
Renault finished third in the manufacturers’ championship with 51 points, 153 behind winner Ferrari.
Heikki Kovalainen finished seventh in the drivers’ standings with 30 points, followed by teammate Giancarlo Fisichella with 21.
Ferrari champion Kimi Raikkonen finished with 110 points.
A Renault F1 spokeswoman said the company could not “for legal reasons” give detailed comment. The spokeswoman asked that she not be identified by name, citing company policy. CanadianPress
