The FIA improperly fined McLaren $100m for espionage last year, according to a British newspaper report.
The Independent said the penalty, handed down at the end of the 'Stepneygate' spy saga, was in breach of the Paris-based governing body's own statutes.
Article 14 of the FIA statutes says that, not including FIA President Max Mosley, the 26 voting members of the World Motor Sport Council must represent national sporting bodies.
'It doesn't seem that this rule has been followed,' the media article said.
For instance, F1 Chief Executive Bernie Ecclestone cast a vote, but he does not represent a national sporting body.




Comment 1 - 4 of 4
david.malcolmuprg, rod why the hell are you both so against Fernando and Ferrari, the only people in the wrong are mclaren and their penalty should stand because they were clearly cheating. Fernando has done nothing wrong because he was honest and told the truth whereas Mclaren were blatently lying. Ferrari have done absolutely nothing wrong, they are the innocent victims in all this and I think Todt should become FIA president, what a glorious era that will bring us in to!!!
I think Stepney is still under investigation in Italy as Ferrari have pressed ahead with their civil action with Jean Todt pushing that along. The FIA released a statement if I'm right advising F1 Teams not to consider employing Stepney for the next 18 months, but I think he is working in motorsport still in one of the world series.
The story does not surprise me though. Alonso and De la Rosa both had extensive Ferrari knowledge and Alonso took McClaren Knowledge to Renault with him - Yet Flavio's team has not been penalised! Renault was @#$% last year and now they are pushing for a top 4 position - can anyone really say that Alonso's driving is the reason for Renault's sudden improvement???
The FIA have always Looked after Ferrari, and now it is rumoured that Todt may throw his hat in the ring when Mosely steps down! Mmmmmmmmn Wonder which team will benefit most with rule changes from that one???
The FIA took no action against Stepney and even before the WMSC hearings they had agreed to take no action against Alonso and de la Rosa if they told what they knew. Sadly for Spanky, it was quite evident from the WMSC hearing transcripts that the only two that were guilty of anything were Alonso and de la Rosa.
Ferrari has taken no action against Stepney for some months now; while legal action can take time - particularly in Italy where the case against Sir Frank Williams/Patrick Head over the death of Ayrton Senna dragged on for nearly a decade (wonder if that was intended to help undermine the Williams team and therefore help stop them from kicking Ferrari's rusty b*tt??) - it is starting to look like there isn't a case against Stepney or perhaps anyone at all. Just a very well managed con game to steal the Drivers and Constructors Championships. Would this count as "bringing the sport into disrepute" and lead to Ferrari being excluded for 2008, 2009??
whats hapened too stepney. has he been found guilty in court yet???
Please login to post a comment
Not already a Yahoo! user ? Sign up to get a free Yahoo! Account