Thursday’s FIA World Motor Sport Council Rules on McLaren Spying Case

Is it really cheating if there isn’t a discernable benefit?

According to a posting on the FIA website, McLaren through their own admission, “was in breach of the International Sporting Code through their possession of confidential technical data belonging to rivals Ferrari, who are now all but assured of the 2007 constructors’ title.” In addition to the loss of the constructor’s title McLaren will also be fined $100 million. The good news for the team is that the drivers, Alonso and Hamilton, will not be effected by the ruling and will continue to compete for the driver’s championship.

While it is clear that McLaren has cheated to some degree through the acquisition and possession of confidential Ferrari documents one has to question the penalties. Certainly the team should suffer repercussions for their indiscretions but do they really deserve to be ejected from the constructor’s title? Ferrari’s relative poor performance this year has largely been due to reliability issues. McLaren has consistently run more reliable races and often been faster.

The McLaren cars have demonstrated better suspension characteristics, being easier on tires and more capable at handling varying road conditions. If anything, they’ve benefited by not doing what Ferrari have done. While the fine seems appropriate (after all, what’s $100 million to an F1 team) the title penalty seems severe.

I wonder what evidence the drivers presented. Something was definitely afoot with Fred not saluting the team at the end of the last GP - perhaps Dennis was pressuring him re testimony. I
have to believe Lewis would have been a good soldier and not provided anything to damning to the team; Fred would be focused on his championship opportunity.

Ferrari may win the cup but it will be marked by an * and we will all know who the better team was.