F1: `Ferrari it is `likely` that secrets helped McLaren`

[Rory Phoulorie]

Thursday 26th July 2007

Ferrari have reportedly claimed it is "likely" that McLaren's lead in the World Championship is the direct consequence of possessing stolen Ferrari documents.

The Guardian claims to have seen a document lodged at the High Court by Ferrari's lawyers relating to the ongoing Stepneygate crisis and says that 'the document sets out in greater detail than ever before their accusations in the sabotage scandal that has divided Formula One.'

It reports that there were 'five occasions on which, Ferrari claim, their secrets were made known to McLaren executives including Martin Witmarsh, the team's chief operations officer, and Paddy Lowe, the engineering director.'

This has been repeatedly denied by McLaren, who insist that only suspended chief designer Mike Coughlan was aware of the 780-page dossier of information that he reportedly received in March.

However, that assurance has apparently been refuted by Ferrari.

"The difference between the two teams is so close that it is likely that McLaren's superior number of points is a consequence of its chief designer having the Ferrari documents," the team's lawyers are reported to have argued, adding that being "in possession of the Ferrari documents has given McLaren an unfair advantage over Ferrari."

"The chief designer is part of the key group of three to four people who drive the technical team to improve the car. The opportunity for a chief designer to influence the car's performance in all areas is huge."

The Scuderia's lawyers also revealed that "Ferrari will suffer loss of at least 5.5m euros" should they lose to McLaren in the Constructors' Championship.

McLaren are to appear before the FIA today to answer charges 'fraudulent conduct' during the Stepneygate scandal.


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