Dennis looks to future as ‘spy’ appeal ruled out

MCLAREN boss Ron Dennis is now focused on putting a turbulent year behind him by winning the Formula One drivers’ title after opting not to appeal against the spy scandal sanctions.

Dennis believes “it is in the best interests of the sport” that McLaren do not drag out a sorry affair that has overshadowed everything else in motor racing since July 3.

That was the day Ferrari sacked Nigel Stepney as their head of performance development and Mike Coughlan was suspended by McLaren from his position as chief designer.

The situation came to a head last week when the World Motor Sport Council, at the end of a second hearing in Paris, fined McLaren £50 million (e71 million) and stripped them of all constructors’ points for this season.

The fact McLaren have decided not to pursue the case further means Ferrari are constructors’ champions for the first time since 2004, and for the 15th time in Formula One history.

Dennis believes that it is time to draw a line in the sand, although the criminal case against Stepney in Italy and the civil case against Coughlan in England remain ongoing.

However, Dennis remarked: “We believe the time has come to put this huge distraction behind us. McLaren wants to win races and world championships.”

The fact drivers Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso are still in the hunt for the title is courtesy of the immunity offered by FIA president Max Mosley in exchange for information received.

Alonso and reserve Pedro de la Rosa, fearing for the loss of their super licence that allows them to drive in F1, both came forward.

An email exchange between the two Spanish drivers was found to be incriminating, seeming to indicate they were aware of confidential Ferrari information.

The situation first came to light when a 780-page technical dossier — stored on computer disk — belonging to Ferrari was discovered at the home of Coughlan. It is alleged the document was passed to Coughlan by Stepney. It is a claim Stepney denies.

The threat of a sanction for next year still hangs over McLaren if their 2008 car, after a thorough investigation to be undertaken by an FIA technical team in December, is discovered unlawful.