12.16.07
Renault embroiled in new F1 ’spying’ scandal
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FORMULA 1 has become embroiled in its second spying scandal of the year after Renault were charged with possessing confidential information belonging to McLaren.
Ironically, it is a remarkably similar accusation to the one the Woking-based team faced in the season which has just finished and resulted in a record fine and expulsion from the constructors’ championship.
Allegations about Renault emerged in September as McLaren sought to defend themselves against their charge of having technical information belonging to Ferrari.
Motor sport’s governing body, the FIA, have now summoned Renault team representatives to Monaco for a hearing in front of the World Motor Sport Council on 6 December to answer a charge in relation to a breach of article 151c of the International Sporting Code.
The team were dragged into the McLaren spying affair earlier this year when it was alleged a former staff member at the British-based marque had taken several CDs worth of data to Renault.
McLaren’s lawyers brought the matter to the attention of the FIA on the eve of their own hearing in September, which prompted the investigation by the sport’s governing body.
FIA president Max Mosley said at the time the accusations against Renault revolved around an employee who had left McLaren to join Renault and taken the information with him. A Renault spokesman said: “Ever since the matter was brought to our attention, we have acted with complete transparency towards McLaren and the FIA and we will continue to do so.”
McLaren were fined £47.5million and thrown out of the manufacturers’ championship after being found guilty of a similar charge to the one now levelled at Renault. McLaren, for their part, are remaining silent on the latest controversy to hit Formula One.
Coincidentally, the FIA visited McLaren’s Woking headquarters as part of their investigation into the original spying affair.