Dec.14 (GMM) Following what the British press described as a "grovelling" apology by McLaren, FIA president Max Mosley has moved to end the so-called Stepneygate spying scandal.
Although the Paris body is yet to agree, Mosley has "asked the members of the World Motor Sport Council for their consent to cancel the hearing scheduled for 14 February 2008", a statement on Thursday said.
The February hearing had been scheduled in the light of a report filed by FIA technical inspectors showing that McLaren's 2008 car is indeed infected by Ferrari intellectual property.
But given McLaren's undertaking to freeze certain aspects of development of the MP4-23, Mosley said the matter should be closed "in the interests of the sport".
A statement issued by Ferrari, however, confirmed that the Italian team intends to go ahead with criminal and civil actions in Italy and England relating to the case.
Ferrari added: "In the light of McLaren's apology and the guarantees it has presented, Ferrari respects the proposal of the FIA president" to cancel the upcoming hearing.
But while the matter may soon be closed from a sporting point of view, it may signal the end of Ron Dennis' long career as team boss, the British newspaper Daily Mail observed.
The 60-year-old "was fighting for his formula one life last night" after the admission of "cheating and corruption", the newspaper said.
Written: Fri, 14 Dec 2007 10:08:05
[ Print View ][ E-Mail Article ]
- April 21, 2008Webber slams Mosley
- April 14, 2008BRDC boss Hill joins Mosley censure
- April 08, 2008Austrian body renounces Mosley
- April 03, 2008Car makers round on mosley
- April 03, 2008Dennis quiet on Mosley scandal
- April 02, 2008Confirmed - Mosley calls off Bahrain visit
- April 01, 2008Mosley to cancel Bahrain visit
- March 31, 2008Mosley racist sex scandal claim
- January 28, 2008Dennis rules out FIA presidency
- January 18, 2008Mosley an 'amateur' - Stewart
- (December 14, 2007)View all headlines from this date
