McLaren Statement

**ArrowsFA1** · 13th Dec 07, 16:09

As a result of the investigations carried out by the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile it has become clear that Ferrari information was more widely disseminated within McLaren than was previously communicated. McLaren greatly regrets that its own investigations did not identify this material and has written to the World Motor Sport Council to apologise for this.

McLaren has written a letter to the FIA which in the interests of transparency it is publishing with this press statement. That letter speaks for itself and the sentiments expressed in it are sincerely held by McLaren. McLaren has also written to the World Motor Sport Council to apologise that it has taken an FIA investigation to find this information and have expressed our deep regret that our understanding of the facts was improved as a result of the FIA inspection rather than our own investigations. McLaren has recognised that this entire situation could have been avoided if we had informed Ferrari and the FIA about Nigel Stepney's first communication when it came to our attention. We are, of course, embarrassed by the successive disclosures and have apologised unreservedly to the FIA World Motor Sport Council.

To avoid even the possibility of Ferrari information influencing our performance during 2008, McLaren has offered a set of detailed undertakings to the FIA which will impose a moratorium on development in relation to three separate systems. During the course of these incidents, McLaren has conducted a thorough review of its policies and procedures regarding the recruitment and management of staff. The proposals arising from this thorough review have been disclosed to the FIA and McLaren has agreed to demonstrate that all of these policies and procedures have been fully implemented.

McLaren wish to make a public apology to the FIA, Ferrari, the Formula 1 community and to Formula 1 fans throughout the world and offer their assurance that changes are now being made which will ensure that nothing comparable to what has taken place will ever happen again. McLaren have also agreed to pay the costs incurred by the FIA for their investigation.

McLaren now wishes to put these matters behind it and to move forward focusing on the 2008 season.

http://www.mclaren.com/latestnews/pr...php?article=60

**F1boat** · 13th Dec 07, 16:13

Lovely

**ioan** · 13th Dec 07, 16:14

Someone still believes that they were not guilty?

I wonder how Brundle, Stewrt and Hill after accusing the FIA of witch hunting the poor innocent McLaren team and their leader?!

**ioan** · 13th Dec 07, 16:16

Originally Posted by F1boat

Lovely

And sweet

**ioan** · 13th Dec 07, 16:35

I wouldn't want to be in RD's place!

**ArrowsFA1** · 13th Dec 07, 16:35

McLaren's letter to the FIA

**ioan** · 13th Dec 07, 16:39

How can they call that letter "Private and Confidential" and than post it on their site?!

**ArrowsFA1** · 13th Dec 07, 17:00

Originally Posted by ArrowsFA1

McLaren's letter to the FIA

...is now on Autosport.com not McLaren.com

**SGWilko** · 13th Dec 07, 17:00

Originally Posted by ioan

Someone still believes that they were not guilty?

Not any more. I am gobsmacked, but most of all dissapointed.

Sticking up for McLaren in numerous posts has left me with egg on my face. I am genuinely embarrased, and am happy to admit I have been proved wrong.

What a groveling load of drivel that letter amounts to. Oh well, come on Nico, lets see Williams near the sharp end again.

Apologies to anyone who felt they were banging their heads against a brick wall with any of my sticking up for Ron posts, I feel quite sheepish now.

Ho hum, soon be Christmas.......

**SGWilko** · 13th Dec 07, 17:04

Originally Posted by ioan

How can they call that letter "Private and Confidential" and than post it on their site?!

The mind boggles. Daer oh dear, this puts JT and LDM in a different light now, doesn't it?

God Lewis, get out quick son.

As Spike Milligan said 'the boy stood on the burning deck.......

......twit'

**ioan** · 13th Dec 07, 17:08

Originally Posted by SGWilko

Not any more. I am gobsmacked, but most of all dissapointed.

Sticking up for McLaren in numerous posts has left me with egg on my face. I am genuinely embarrased, and am happy to admit I have been proved wrong.

What a groveling load of drivel that letter amounts to. Oh well, come on Nico, lets see Williams near the sharp end again.

Apologies to anyone who felt they were banging their heads against a brick wall with any of my sticking up for Ron posts, I feel quite sheepish now.

Ho hum, soon be Christmas.......

One real man on the list!

**Easy Drifter** · 13th Dec 07, 17:24

It does appear that ioan was right and McLaren did make use of Ferrari info. My apologies.

**ClarkFan** · 13th Dec 07, 17:40

Originally Posted by ioan

I wouldn't want to be in RD's place!

I wouldn't want to be in Hamilton's. Promising young driver, nearly WDC as a rookie, and now he is tied to this anchor.

Bet that Alonso wakes up every moring laughing deliriously.

ClarkFan

**Storm** · 13th Dec 07, 18:03

So any more of Alonso being the snitch posts around ?

**ioan** · 13th Dec 07, 18:03

Originally Posted by ClarkFan

I wouldn't want to be in Hamilton's. Promising young driver, nearly WDC as a rookie, and now he is tied to this anchor.

Bet that Alonso wakes up every moring laughing deliriously.

ClarkFan

I was thinking about the same thing earlier. Still Ron is the one who's integrity went with this occasion.

**airshifter** · 13th Dec 07, 18:05

I really don't see what this brings to the surface that wasn't already known.

We knew that some information was circulated through several people back when they released the reports on the investigation.

I do wonder what is blacked out in the letter. It may be something similar to what Ferrari uses yet not close enough that the FIA may stil allow it. Just a guess of course.

**ioan** · 13th Dec 07, 18:09

Originally Posted by airshifter

I really don't see what this brings to the surface that wasn't already known.

We knew that some information was circulated through several people back when they released the reports on the investigation.

I do wonder what is blacked out in the letter. It may be something similar to what Ferrari uses yet not close enough that the FIA may stil allow it. Just a guess of course.

The difference is that they final acknowledge what Max was saying about the team.
That they were using the illegally obtained Ferrari data even if they were denying it.

Not easy to digest, is it?!

**Firstgear** · 13th Dec 07, 18:12

Can anyone here expand on the "quickshift, fast fill" that is refered to in the letter?

**ioan** · 13th Dec 07, 18:19

Originally Posted by Firstgear

Can anyone here expand on the "quickshift, fast fill" that is refered to in the letter?

I guess not, unless someone here works for Ferrari or McLaren, or if Stepney or Coughlan visit this forum.

We might however guess it's some high end technology that mcLaren didn't discover before the moment Stepney decided to help them.

**Bagwan** · 13th Dec 07, 18:33

Roger that , Wilco , good job , over .
You too , Drifter .

Gotta say there's a few "don't agree with the FIA's conclusion"s in that statement , and a few too many "we've already been punished too much"s , for it to be a total "hands up" apology .
It certainly must mean that they are dead to rights guilty .
There is red in that car , and there are red parts ready for the '08 by the sound of it , with them declaring developement moratoria .

It wasn't beyond the imagination to think they might come up with a part or 2 that looked a little fishy and could be reddish upon final inspection , but this was red on the drawing board .

This was Whitmarsh speaking for the team .

Get a mic in front of Ron .