Today, all F1 is in judgment, cause this is not an sport anymore, don´t be naive, of course this is not a Ferrari-McLaren affair, cause when in pre-season there is a crash for instance, the same day the others get a detailed view from how your car is, modifications made for that team, and so on. It´s ok that Alonso is in Belgium preparing next GP, but in so important day like this, he should be with his team as well, I don't know is he knows how horrible is managing this season, I'm sorry for you mate, today was an opportunity to bring fresh air to your image.

Ismael Ramos, Madrid, Spain

A ferrari employee passes a dossier of trade secrets to a McClaren employee - what rule has been broken? McClaren didn't steal the dossier, it was given to them by Ferrari. Whether or not the employee was a rogue is for Ferrari to address internally, but I really don't see what McClaren have done wrong.

Mark, Nottingham, UK

I don't see how the FIA has favoured Ferrari, when McLaren was almost extraordinarily let off in the initial hearing. The sudden coincidence of McLaren reliability and pace, and the discovery of a 780 page raises more questions than answers. Ask, Mika Hikannen, DC, Motoya and Kimi and they will tell you of unexplained resurgence of McLaren this year. F1 will only disappoint a few English Mclaren fans, many Germans, home to its engine designers Mercedes have stuck with Schumi at Ferrari. The French are livid that Alonso was snatched from their Renault team, and so is Flavio.

Muso, Leeds, UK

Now some say: "let s be carefull to go heavvy hands on McLaren, cause it will damage the sport, the sponsors will go away". As a F1 fan i want to know the total truth and if someone did wrong than he/they should be punished in accordance. In a way is similar to a doping case.

Piero, N. Delhi, India

Assuming that the McLaren drivers Alonso and Pedro De La Rosa knew about the information; Then they must bear some responsiblity 'cos they had information and withheld them until being asked the FIA. Alonso stands to benefit most if nobody knows and finds out about it. As a professional he should have volunteered the infor from the very beginning.

Wong C.K., Singapore,

The committee is made up of members from all over the world. Some McLaren biased fans have a short memory. Did McLaren not go totally unpunished only a few weeks ago from the self-same Council?

If McLaren did no wrong then they have nothing to fear, if on the other hand they are guilty.... I'd ban them for 2007 and deduct all drivers points for 2007. For 2008 I'd give them minus 60 constructor's points at the start of the season.

Bob, Modena,

I'm still amazed that motor racing gets reported on the sports pages, it's not a sport, maybe not simply a pass time like golf and darts but still not a sport like rugby or cricket.

Mark, London,

McLaren have not won anything for quite a long time (1998 or thereabouts). Last year they didn't won a single race. Suddenly they become a very dominant presence? Of course it's a coincidence on the same year this happens, they have been found in possession of highly confidential data, coming from their main rival's...

Yeah, they didn't use anything, they are saints or maybe magicians. Right!

João Carvalho, Lisbon, Portugal

Exaggerations or not, the fact that McLaren has been found guilty but has not been punished remains. If no action is taken after today's hearing, McLaren - and other teams - will feel encouraged to cheat even more in the future. And by the way, do you think that if I get caught stealing something, but there is no evidence I have had benefits from it, I am not a thief - and therefore will not be convicted? Finally, the attempt to use Hamilton as part of the defence against the case brought against McLaren is frankly pathetic. If Lewis has done nothing wrong, why taking him? Take Alonso instead, who could explain to the FIA the meaning of the emails he exchanged with De La Rosa. To me it looks like Dennis is using his innocent-looking protege as a "human shield".

Andrea Cicione, London,

It's not a matter of Ferrari or Mc Laren! It is a matter of criminal conduct, spying and dishonesty!...plus potentially lying in the 1st investigation since it appears this was going on before the report! If this goes unpunished than we are no more democracies, countries with the rule of law. That's much more important that Hamilton winning or not. He has tremendous talent and will win other ones in the future in a honest way. Moreover, without a Ferrari or a Mc Laren, he would have not had a chance to win. Does he really want a undeserved title only obtained through dishonesty? Let the judges do their job!

Antoine, London, UK

As someone who gets more frustrated and less interested in F1 every year, this seems to be yet another case of Ferrari complaining when they don't have complete domination of the sport. Strange how any punishment against Ferrrai is always punitive when they transgress the rules.
Referring to the letter that suggests75% of the world would quit watching F1 if Ferrari didn't compete raises an interesting scenario: Imagine an F1 series without Ferrari and without the FIA (their would obviously be the need for a substitute governing body). Could it possibly be a recipe for INCREASING interest? Most people I speak to who no longer bother with F1 cite Ferrari and bias toward them, as at least part of the reason.

Steve Jones, Brentwood,

Ferrari are DESPERATE to get anything on Mclaren because they know they are going to LOOSE. I dont really think that this guy above "Luigi Giordani" knows a great deal about F1.....

If anything they should get a hefty fine - IF they are found guitly which i doubt.

Lee, Milton Keynes, UK

There appears to be a view expressed here that Ferrari are central to a worldwide audience appreciating F1.
In my experience there is the feeling that a large number of people have lost interest in F1 because Ferrari are perceived to be treated differently to other teams under the rules of the sport. People feel that there is not a level playing field.
The effect of this has been, over the last few years, that interest in F1 is diminishing, and that interest being only slightly heightened when a "scandal" such as the McLaren/Ferrari dossier incident, comes to light.
Whether or not there is any truth in accusations of favouritism in F1 the fact remains that people with a sense of sporting fairness are turning away from the spectacle of F1, whoever they support, because they don't feel they are watching a fair competition.

C. Damian Law BSc, Northampton, UK

I'm appalled that people who have not seen and cannot really know what 'evidence', if any, against Mclaren can be convinced that they are 'guilty'.
The kangaroo court types who call for the toughest possible punishment clearly have no concept of justice and fair play. With no factual basis they indefensibly decide that Mclaren are not innocent until PROVEN guilty.
I can't personally make an informed judgement either way and hope only that justice will be done and, more importantly, seen to be done. If not the sport will deservedly lose many fans and sponsors - look what is happening in cycling.
In that regard, why did the FIA not simply check to see whether the Mclaren car has any parts developed from the Ferrari documents in Coughman's possession. Surely the most sensitive, beneficial parts could be quickly and easily established and tested.
Finally, as a dedicated F1 supporter for almost 50 years, I am appalled by the damage this very public ongoing saga is doing to this sport.

ANTHONY, NICE, FRANCE

Technical espionage is nothing new to F1, but what is different is the way this has all been over blown. There have been plenty of times during the Schumacher years when the FIA turned a blind eye to Ferrari's acts of gamesmanship, much to the annoyance of Mclaran and others, particularly since Ferrari obviously benefitted from such rule bending. I can't help feeling that the lawyers at Ferrari are throwing their toys out the pram because they are not winning.

David, London, UK

All these comments assume that Mclaren are guilty, yet no proper independent investigation has taken place nor any proper trial. As for the new allegations from Ferrari, which occured on the eve of the Italian grand Prix; how many times have we seen this in Footbal, where a team professes interest and a key player on the eve of a match to destabilize the opposition; it's just machiavellian mind games from a team that expects to win regardless off whether it's justiffied and I am not anti Ferrari, just an avid fan of F1 neutral who finds all these off-track machinations pathetic. The idea that McLaren need to cheat to achieve what they have achieved flies in the face of their exemplary technical constructors/team record. Ferrari should just concentrate on trying to win, maybe Alonso can help them next year, or is that too machiavellian. Forza F1 sensa stronza.

andrew wakeling, London, UK

Luigi Giordani, HALIFAX / NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA If McLaren had followed the Italian design they'd have had 1 forward gear & 8 for reverse!

JohnC, Warwick, UK

As far as I am concerned if its proven they had the info without inmediately informing the FIA they are guilty of industrial espionage. Which, I like to remind to all that are pointing fingers at Ferrari, is a criminal offence . The only right course of action by the FIA at that point would be an exclusion.. As for the assertion by one of the contributors that McLaren had a competitive car for years this is nonsense at the beginning of the season they were not even considered in contention for this years title.

Alex , London, UK

I hardly ever read comments like yours, Luigi, from fans of Spyker or Williams. Is there a certain character to a Ferrari fan that means that you lose all your qualities of reasoning?

I hope that McLaren do not get punished too harshly today.

Andrew Abbott, Norwich, UK

Mc Laren are hiding some thing... Alonso's movements are questionable. why didn't he come

visweshwar, bangalore, india

So you think and so does Damon Hill that the "maFIA" may favour Ferrary because of a special simpathy!!!!
But you´re not able to see that McLaren is fovouring Hamilton and making things difficult for Alonso??
Well we call that HYPOCRISY !!!
McLaren has not won a title since 1999!, I just wish Alonso win the title and race for a different team next year!!

Luis, Madrid, Spain

Lets not forget about the Australian GP. Ferrari cheating! Or perhaps The German and his questionable driving when the championship are at stake.

McLaren would not risj using the Ferrari information, it makes no sense. Every winners car is checked after each race so that should help clear it all up.

Mosely needs to go, Ecclestone needs to step up and get involved too.

Paul Wood, Manchester,

Silvio, Italy, you wrote:
"...this season is simply ruined by this spy-story. Nobody will have anything to be happy about"

ABSOLUTELY right....
except that at the end some shallow old men will have more money than other shallow old men... and when money is driving the agenda the means are always less important than the ends...

A lot of "Blue chip corporations" might get bothered by this saga apparently and review their sponsorship decisions. Right now I wish they would... maybe without the untold $millions getting into the pores of absolutely everything, F1 might remember it's actually an entertainment race series again and pull its head out of its backside.

Mad Max wants to slap Merc for the GPWC - he'll not let this go.

Richard Mee, Cambridge, UK

I am sitting here awaiting the Paris outcome before heading off to Spa tomorrow I am starting to fear a repeat of the favouritism which Mosley has shown towards Ferrari in the past will be repeated and spoil what I expected to be an excellent weekend. I dont particularly like Ron Dennis's style but I did start watching when Bruce McLaren entered the sport... but lets keep personalities out of it - the Ferrari and McLaren teams are just that and the sport will carry on without Todt, Dennis et al

F1 is about drivers and teams - Alonso practicing at Spawhile Lewis and Pedro represent McLarens as its drivers says it all

Keith Humphreys, London, England

Hang on a minute. Wasn't it a disgruntled Ferrari employee who gave the information willingly.
Now McLaren are being accused of gaining from this and are in threat of having the FIA punish them - Ferrari bias , you would think the whole storey was rediculous if it written fiction!.

Who is to say this wasn't a Ferrari stichup and the disgruntled employee turns out to be full to the coffers with Ferrari cash!

Formula one would be ruined if McLaren are punished to the point of lossing any chance of getting Lewis or Alonso the chamionship.

And hey what exaclty have McLaren stolen - can it be shown on the car/configuration something that was not there before.

Luigi Giordani,-Most Brish and Spanish fans would stop watching if Mclaren were stopped unfairly! And I think that Britain contributes in a big way to F1.

Phil, Stockport, UK

The whole things totally out of proportion. Teams have always spied on each other. It just happens that Ferrari seem to have upset the wrong man (that I think is where the really interesting story lies & does it follow from schumacher being pushed or jumping last year?). In the old days it was part of the fun of the sport. I think some people in at the top of F1 should remove there heads from up there bottoms & address the more important issues of making things more exciting for spectators.
Anyway if they are found guilty, the car was designed long before so I doubt much of this stuff could have been incorperated into mclarens basic design, anyway who says its better! They might not have used any, it just enabled them to expose Ferrari's illegal floor. Also whats any of this to do with the drivers they just drive what they're given so should not be penalised at all, (even if I dont like the sulky Spaniard & love Ferrari's).

Tony Smith, Kelsall, Cheshire, England

It is such a shame that the views on this are so polarized. The opinions seem to fall along national lines. F1 is international sport yet so many people regard it with only national self interest at heart. People have passion, that's all to the good, and it is probably true to say that Ferrari have the the most passionate fans. However outbursts like that of the gentleman from Canada create more heat than light. I hope this doesn't sound biased but I think the lead McLaren have at the moment is just as much to do with Ferrari's uncharacteristic lack of reliability as with McLaren's skill.
By copying a design you are unlikely to damage the original. Unless of course the conspiracy theorists are adding sabotage to the espionage charges. Please, everyone keep a level head and let's hope they do in Paris too.

Mark Stevens, Reading, UK

You know for some reasons we italians think that british people is more honest than us .Tha's what i thought too , but now i realize that this is totally false : when we do something wrong we are very critic to ourselves as it happened for the soccer scandal.

It's unbelivable how british people still try to defend Mclaren , what happend was a huge cheating which every mclaren fan should be ashamed of.

Aside the rivalry who loves this sport can just hope to see Mclaren punished as it deserves.

Simone, Milan,

Mclaren should be punished. They have done wrong they insulted the sport and they should be punished.

If Mclaren escapes the punishment it will encourage cheating in not only Formula 1 but also other sports.

Besides if FIA deducts both drivers points by 20 points this will make Formula 1 more interesting but important thing is Mclaren is guilty and they should be punished

Max Gates, San Francisco, California, USA

The answer seems obvious.

The drivers were driving legal cars so what should it matter to them if McLaren stole secrets from Ferrari. The drivers should not be penalised.

If McLaren stole secrets from Ferrari they should be penalised and not win the constructors' championship.

That way McLaren are penalised but not the drivers and the public's interest in the F1 battle this year will not diminish.

Brian, London,

Does anybody actually know for CERTAIN that Maclaren used Ferrari IP?? So far, there has been no proof provided that this is the case so the only issue is the passing of information.

The way I see it is: a Ferrari representative handed information to a Mclaren representative so how the hell is the receiving team guilty?? If Mclaren are guilty because an employee of thiers received information, then Ferrari should surely be deemed as giving the information away!!

Ferrari are a protected species and I am sure that F1 really means Ferrari 1!!!

Steve Wood, Plymouth, UK

The sporting elements dont matter. In F1 money is king. Undoubtedly Ecclestone & Mosley are not going to let happen anything that would signify a big loss on revenues e.g. excluding McLaren.
If McLaren is guilty they will exercise a marketed punishment bbut nothing to drastic: business is business!

James, Madrid,

None of us really know what has happened so we are not really in a position to judge, Craig. Lets just wait and see what happens. It would be sad to see this championship fight end so soon.

Vid Iv Ivanisevic, London, England

I think that not puniishing someone that is found guilty would be the highest possible damage for the sport. In that case from that moment on, no success would be legitimate as anyone could think of it as the result of a possible not unpunished theft.

Cesare Casirati, Milan, Italy

Seems like some of Bernie Ecclestones PR guys are writing to support letting Maclaren off the hook even if found guilty?
I agree that the FIA MUST be impartial and judge the case purely on the facts presented to them. Any emotional nonsense such as whether it will spoil Lews Hamilton's season has nothing to do with the case as if proven against MacLaren then his wins would be flawed anyway as they would have been the result of cheating. So let's hope for the sport that Maclaren are innocent.

George, Glasgow, UK

I've been a McLaren fan for 20 years, but now my team deserves to be punished. The email (Alonso, De la Rosa, Stepney...) are irrefutable. I love right sport not a popular-spied one)

John, London,

What is wrong with the trading of secrets? Designers and engineers regularly change teams with their knowledge and experience being the reason for their hiring. F1 has gone to great lengths to level the playing field and the disclosure of the "design innovations" has accellerated the equalization. Personally, I am in favour of more standardization which would prove who is the best driver, not the team with the largest budget.

Dwayne , Regina, Canada

It's simple, the best championship the sport has experienced for many years will be ruined for millions, if Ferrari get there win through the courts.
I think many fans will vote with their feet if Mclaren are not given the opportunity to fight it out on the track.

Who'd want to win the drivers championship by default?

Not Kimi that's for sure!

Gordon McAulay, Newtown StBoswells, Roxburghshire

I laugh at the constant "ferrari" bias claims ... how quickly they forget it was the FIA who stripped Schumacher of all his points after crashing into Damon Hill. There was NO proof this was intentional I.E. telemetry data.

For me the moment they aquired such material they left the "sport" behind and started there own journey down this long road ... If Ron was the honest man he says he is he would have come forward... but he didnt and I dont believe for 1sec that he was blind to all the things going on.

He would have been the first man told about it from there head engineer ... "hey look boss ..."

Nope, They are gonna get whats coming to them and thats that.

F1Sports, Melb, Australia

the main problem with all this is the damage that all the arguments are going to do to the sport as a whole.

i'm more a fan of motogp, but i have been watching more of the f1 this year, partly because of lewis hamilton and his successes. i like the racing, i love the spectacle, but all the arguments are a huge turn off, and will drive me away from this sport.

sean, merseyside,

I really do not understand why "the sport" should be spoiled by the fact that a cheater is punished as deserved. Don't you think that it would earn credibility instead? And for the sake of "the sport", would you justify any deeds, even the fact of using stolen documents to get an unfair advantage? Moreover, one day it could be used as a weapon against the same who seem now to be exploiting the advantage of having done something really shameful and having nothing to do with "the sport". A Roman proverb says: "Those who live by the sword also die by it".

Pasquale, Naples,

This is just a case of Ferrari throwing the rattle out of the pram when things aren't going their way!

There has always been a biased towards Ferrari in Formula 1 - look at the number of times they remain unpunished for flouting the rules. A case of too much money and too much power - as soon as they are on the decline it's another teams/ drivers fault!

Maclaren have beaten Farrari fair and square over and over again so why do they need 'ferrari secrets' to do this again - a set up is the phrase that comes to mind!

Jo, Leeds, UK

I'm really very nervous with this situation created by McLaren. The damage is already done, and the sport of F1 itself is damaged. So if it is crystal clear for all of us that McLaren has cheated, then why are we so worried about the penalty? When you break the rules, there's no doubt you deserve to be punished, as well as McLaren in this case.

And Mr Dennis, taking LH to the hearing is not a good option, it seems a desperate move when he should be in Spa doing his job!

Anyway, good luck Fernando, Pedro, Lewis and all the McLaren staff (not for you Mr Dennis).

davewall, MADRID, Spain

I think you're right Craig. If (and that if is of course always there in legal matters until a verdict has been reached) the allegations are true, McLaren deserves to be punished hard, but any severe punishment would most certainly reflect in a negative way on the sport as a whole.

If found guilty, it is perhaps suiting to remove McLaren's points in the constructors championship, as this is a harsh punishment for a team but generally not considered so important by many viewers.

Jeroen, Amsterdam, Netherlands

If they used the information they should be punished, "playing" the Hamilton card is an admission of guilt. Those who judge the sport for enforcing rules should perhaps switch their to WWE.

Anthony, London,

1. It is reported that new evidence of misconduct on the part of McLaren has emerged. 2. McLaren is apparently intent upon relying on Lewis Hamilton's predicament for and as part of its plea in mitigation. 3. Nigel Mansell has been filmed and recorded saying that "where there's smoke there's fire". 4. The determination to be made in Paris will be made by 26 members of the FIA's World Motor Sport Council (not Max Mosley alone). 5. Yet the British motorsport mafia (including particularly Jackie Stewart and Damon Hill) began crying foul even before the Paris hearing commenced let alone any decision was made. Come on ladies and gentlemen, being current or former racing drivers and or observers of Formula 1 does not ipso facto make you jurists. Formula 1 would be well served by less emotion and more circumspection. We in the antipodes suffer the biases of British Formula 1 commentators week-in week-out. Today, why not pause to let unadulterated facts emerge and speak for themselves?

Anthony, Melbourne, Australia

Come on chaps it`s just 22 cars costing a fortune going round in circles for 2 hours with Bernie as grand master.
Give them all the same cars and let the drivers sort it out.
People are getting fed up with the politics & egos of a few wealthy individuals with nothing better to do than YA BOO each other.
Mines bigger than yours - leave it in the school yard boys.
Hamilton has embarrassed Ferrari with his driving skills, get over it. In few years it will be somebody else, ask Mansell & Hill.
Last year Ferrari were the boys, this year it`s McClaren, remember when Williams were unbeatable - goes in cycles.

Ron , scotland, uk

This whole performance is damaging the world of formula1. If the FIA take the wrong discision then many fans will boycote the sport. If needs be deduct constructors points or fine the teams involved but to punish the drivers or ban the teams from racing is absolutely ridiculous. Our household have been F1 fans for many years and we have taken the vote that if the wrong discion is taken then we will no longer watch or attend F1 GPs, and we want be the only ones to do this. Being a Brit we are very proud of what Lewis Jensen DC and Anthony are doing for the country and the sport. Lewis is potentically our new champ it would be devastating to have that taken away because of the wrong outcome to this rediculous fiasco.
Surely if the two manufacturers have supposedly gain info then why isnt the competition alot more closer than it is at the moment. Lets just hope the FIA see sense and the end result is a fair one.

Anne, Portsmouth, UK

It's a bit telling that McLaren are resorting to theatrics and bullying to defend themselves. Is this what consists a 'robust defense'?

Honestly, if McLaren have cheated no theatrics should make the slightest difference. If McLaren have cheated and are permitted to remain in the title chase it will completely destroy the credibility of the championship and ergo Lewis' first title, like Michael Schumachers will be irrevocably tainted.

Hamilton deserves better than that, McLaren have put the sport into disrepute by even attempting such a cynical defense.

I don't want F1 to become like Cycling where 'the show' is more important than the competition, if McLaren are guilty Lewis has received the benefits and any penalty that tries to have it both ways is an utter face.

Lewis may well win the title, but it will be a tainted one of no value.

Aaron James, Fulham, London

Here we go again. McLaren are playing the "Ferrari favouritism" card when all else fails. I remember a month ago Ron and Martin Whitmarsh strenuously denying of any sort of McLaren involvement. Today Mike Coughlan has come out apologising and admitting that YES he did show the Ferrari dossier to Martin and Mr. Lowe. They even drew their own schematics for submital to FIA to see if they were legal.

Please give me a break. McLaren are up to their necks in it. They are now using Hamilton as their cry-baby so that the rest of the world feels sorry about him and consequently not punish McLaren in the manner that they deserve.

I think McLaren should be excluded from this year's Drivers and Constructors championship.

Panos, Maidenhead,

1) Coughlan and Stepney are the disgrace to the integrity of F1, rather than Ferrari or McLaren.
2) McLaren and Ferrari could not be expected to control every action of these two individuals, but as commercial entities, they are liable for the actions of their employees.
3) McLaren should have come clean as soon as they realised Coughlan had the information.
4) The FIA must be seen to punish illegal conduct, while at the same time protecting the future of the sport.

McLaren appear guilty of a cover-up even if they did not use the technical information. Ferrari risk damaging the sport and therefore their own long term future by pursuing such a draconian punishment.

Here's an idea:
Hamilton's points reduced to 74 to match Raikkonen.
Alonso's points reduced to 69 to match Massa.
McLaren's Constructors points reduced to 143 to match Ferrari.
Go Racing in Spa for the most exiting climax to a season in recent years. It'd never happen - too much like common sense - here's to F1!!

KT, Tring, Herts, UK

I do find it interesting that people are arguing about how this decision can be damaging to the sport. If a crime has been committed, and we are not talking about some sort of personal doping or illegal boosting of the engine but industrial espionage that is worth hundreds of million pounds, than the responsible team should be punished. To the fullest. Anything else would be damaging to the sport. I can not support the arguments of some fellow commentators that the FIA has been biased in their decisions over the years towards Ferrari. Just take a look at events over the years (the disqualification of Schumacherin 1997, Rascasse incident in 2006 and many more) to find that the FIA has not always made the right decision (in my opinion) but it has always made a balanced decision. If McLaren Mercedes has used Ferrari information, no matter if to improve the car or just to understand Ferrari, there can only be one decision. Disqualification for the team AND the drivers + huge fine.

Piero Violante, Duesseldorf, Germany

Excuse me Luigi, Craig and all who have immediately condemned (guilty until innocent) McLaren as the bad guys

Yet again, Ferrari is potrayed as the despoiled maiden amidst all those nasty greasy mechanic types.

If the Ferrari Know How Info was so powerful, why did it not give Ferrari the lead in the constructors points? Hmmmm!!

Industrial espionage is as old as the first wheel invention. So also is making smoke screens. Maybe this just another Ferrari ploy ( as the bad losers that they are) to discredit a better and more adept competitor by raising the smoke screen of "stolen" secrets.

Go to it McLaren, get on with what you do best (and better than most) - winning F1

Chris Brandon, Welwyn, Herts, England

If McLaren benefited from Ferrari Knowhow how come Ferrari have not also benefited? Or is the complaint that McLaren failed to adopt Ferrari expertise (the scoundrels, how dares they) and simply produced a better car? Besides what does Article 151c : Any fraudulent conduct or any act prejudicial to the interests of any competition or to the interests of motor sport generally, actually mean? It sounds very like that old 'catch-all' in British Military discipline - conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline contrary to section 69 of the Army Act 1955 - whichsame I have had the pleasure of being on the receiving end on several occasions.

Graham Orr, Llanelli, UK

I have been a fan of F1 all my life and not missed a race live for the past 15 years. The only crime commited in F1 this year is the rediculous action taken by the FIA and Ferrari in cohort. I will not watch another race. Come on all non-Ferrari teams please set up another Forumla which is built on the fastest car winning the race. Do not let Ferrari join since they will never compete on a level playing field!

Michael Cook, STIRLING, Scotland

....and the dirty trickery continues...drag Hamilton to the hearing and emotionaly blackmail everyone into a lighter sentence. Ask yourself this WHy isn't Alonso there ? afterall its Alonso thats at the centre of this new evidence. Maybe we are all wrong and its actually hamilton that was forced to produce the emails

Mclaren has been 3/4 team for the past few seasons, dogged by reliability problems Austrialia this year, they were miles behind the Ferrari then suddenly boom! they are at the front like they've just discovered the answer to all problems, the fountain of knowledge...the dossier

Tim, Stratford upon avon, Uk

The mind boggles at British jingoism. So Hamilton is McLarens ' star ' driver. Alonso is only 3 points behind him ,a winner of 4 (FOUR) of this years G.Ps. and is the reigning back to back World Champion and the youngest ever world champion G.P. driver to boot. Who is the star?

alan burden, Mijas, Spain

McLaren have already been found guilty of illegal possession of Ferrari Data.
This is not a case of taking a photograph of a car parked ouside and studying it but classified data is involved. Knowing one's opponent data is obvious to give you an advantage in your research and development.
Since when is possession of stolen property (data) not a crime. McLaren must face judgment.

Ray Camilleri, Most, Malta

The only chance for McLaren to be a top team after many years and give a reason of wasting money is copy Ferrari technology and get Alonso as driver, they did it.
British and german technology is not enough, i'm sorry.
F1 now is boring, without ferrari would be nothing, no tv would pay rights for it.
I know, it is hard to accept for british supporters, but it is the true, sorry again.

stefano, venice,

My view is that Ferrari are now very welcome to the constructors championship.

..... because as of today it is totally without value.

Mark, Cheshire, UK

A strong car for years? HA! Ask Kimi...

Last year they were the most expensive torches on Earth, and how back you have to go to see a McLaren winning the Championship?

Obviously there's been more than just Fernando's expertise to improve the car so quickly - and having to adapt to new tyres!

Alfredo Nieto, Madrid, Spain

Funny how often one reads the words 'favouritism towards Ferrari'... and letting McLaren go unpunished for a crime is not favouritism towards McLaren? If Ferrari was receiving preferential treatment there would not even have been any McLarens on the track over the last few races.

Anyway, enough said.. I think I might go steal a Formula 1 computer game now - but don't worry it's not a crime - I won't to use it.

Katy, London,

To all non-ferrari fans & fans who analyse the situation: When was the last time the ferrari didn't kick a BIG fuss when they are behind in both Championship points? Maybe Hill was right (the favouritism). I think F1 should be re-named Ferrari 1 and put only ferrari cars in there. I have loss interest in the sport. Totally!

MW, London, UK

I am a big fan of Lewis Hamilton and feel very much for him. But I also believe in the priciples of a fair game. If MacLaren was invlolved in fraudelent activities then they should be punished for that regardless of the consideration what would be the consequences of such a decision to a rookie like Lewis Hamilton.

S Aga, The Hague, Netherlands

Mr Giordani,
If Ferrari technology makes the difference, Why aren't they leading the F1 championship? I'm absolutely confident that McLaren Mercedes has the most competitive professionals working there, from engineers to drivers and they don't need Ferrari's technology. Maybe they need Ferrari's contacts.

Marius, Barcelona, Spain

Hey Luigi, don't forget the Ferrari wilderness years when they won nothing for year after year, until they has Michael Schumachers know how!

Tim, Dundee, Scotland

Ed,

I'm a regular reader of your posts, but I'm afraid this time I cannot agree with you. Don't you think that the real reason of Hamilton to be in the WMSC, is not to loose his licence?. He was required to cooperate with FIA and up to now he didn't.

Manuel, Valladolid, Spain

Formula 1 can be boring enough without all this nonsense

Bernie Ecclestone , London, UK

I think that once again it is ferrari who have behaved in an underhand way. Perhaps it was with their knowledge that the information was passed to mclaren, their ace up the sleeve so to speak as they knew their cars would not be able to match the mclarens, so wait until things were going bad then produce the ace. I've never trusted ferrari and to think that mclaren would stoop to their level is laughable.

Topher, letterkenny, donegal

a typically nice and balanced tifosi comment there from luigi. Would someone answer this, if macca are going to be taken to the cleaners over the actions of one man, then why not ferrari? they are as guilty over bringing the sport into disrepute via stephany's actions as macca are over mike's.
Also why did ferrari never go after toyota like they are macca after that spying scandle that was definatly proven in the courts regarding stolen computer data....

James Windsor, wolverhampton, england

I don't believe Mclaren used the information Ferrari is claiming. Mclaren has been one of top teams in F1 for many years and it's hard to accept that they would ruin their image by doing such thing, not to mention the many interests around the team. But I fear the worst president FIA could have (JM Ballestre, please come back!) will pull the strings to punish severly Mclaren and once again Ferrari will benefit in the desk, not on track. I am and always have been a Mclaren and Ron Dennis fan but will see a punishement to the team acceptable if clear evidence is given to public, otherwise I think F1 will loose at least one supporter.

Bruno Gomes, Algarve, Portugal

I think that this is going to far i work for mercedes and i can say now if lewis hamilton or mclaren are going to ne pulled out of formula 1 then i would'nt consider watching formula 1

Billy Carver, Beckenham, England

Unless it can be conclusively proven that McLaren benefited from this information , then this has to be dropped.
I am very much a tifosi, but Jean Todts prediliction to win in the courts rather than on the track , to save his own job it seems, is not helping the sport. (Luigi, a true Ferrari fan wants wins on the track, that is what ferrari are about, not this. )
As to the allegations that the FIA always favour Ferrari and in particular when Michael drove for them, do you not think it is time to just admit they had a better car and driver and the attempts by other teams to discredit this often failed because they were wrong? This claiming teachers pet continually for the last ten years is really very boring.

Howard, Tokyo, Japan

Seems like some of Bernie Ecclestones PR guys are writing to support letting Maclaren off the hook even if found guilty?
I agree that the FIA MUST be impartial and judge the case purely on the facts presented to them. Any emotional nonsense such as whether it will spoil Lewis Hamilton's season has nothing to do with the case as if proven against MacLaren then his wins would be flawed anyway as they would have been the result of cheating. So let's hope for the sport that Maclaren are innocent.

George, Glasgow, UK

The value of Ferrari dosier to Mclaren is highly questionable. The Mclaren and the Ferrari cars are completely different in their construction within the rules with different components . Unless you build a copy of the Ferrari 2007, most of that information is completely useless most significantly the set-up which is what appears to be the basis of this new round. It would be serious ignorance and misinformation to suggest otherwise which is why McLaren was completely exonerated in the first FIA hearing of using information provided freely by Ferrari to Mclaren if the same rules of thinking applies. Producing disgruntled employees who send unsollicited documents to other teams or allegedly sabotage engines cannot enhance the human relations ethos of Ferrari or Formula - the same principle applies. This is not a company I can be proud to be associated with. The FIA in its blinkered bias towards Ferrari may repeat the debacle of the US Grand Prix fiasco

edwin efa, York, UK

The situation appears to amount to industrial espionage and if that is the case cannot be ignored.Formula One has always been riddled with power struggles and politics, and that would appear to be a contributing factor to the developing situation here.However, I do think that Ron is mistaken in bringing in Hamilton at this stage, it smacks of maudling sentimentality to hinge the teams' defence on Hamilton's rookie year achievements and aspirations. Apart from which some of us are more than a little bored with Hamilton, who, if he had been driving last year's McLaren would not have had the reliability that has been gifted him this season, and one wonders where that has come from. I have no doubt about the integrity of all teams and principles in F1, however for a long time there has been a Machiavellian culture within the sport, and all things are relative.

Ron Draper, Kidderminster, England.

To Luigi: I think you are a bit biased yourself. Formula 1 would be a different thing without Ferrari, of course, less glamorous, less competitive...but it wouldn't be NOTHING and certainly 75% of the audicence would't quit watching. Its place would be filled by a different team, the quality & performance standards might go down for a while, they would be missed (very much?) but that's it. NOBODY is indispensable.

Rafael Agüera Lizaso, Valdemorillo, Spain

i reallt think that the english team has used the information to make their car better. that's why i think that they MUST be punished. i think that the best way fora punishmend is to make the points of the english and the italian team to be equalized or to be changed - ferrari takes the point of the english team and vice versa. i don't tink that the pilots need to be punished too. but the true is that all these problems and scandals really have bad influence to the sport.
i have to say that i really want fernando alonso's winning. i don't like the way hamilthon is being boosted!

ina, ruse, bulgaria

Signor Giordani sounds like he works for the Ferrari team - demonstrated by his arrogance, lack of sporting integrity and mis-informed judgement.

If the tables were turned and Ferrari were the ones being accused, we would have had Little Bernie out defending them in the media, followed by an official "slap on the wrist" for being naughty but no penalties.

Lets all vote for some unbiased, honest, professional running of this sport by the FIA - it would make a really great change.

James, Bournemouth,

Luigi - the stereotype is that Ferrari think they are 50% of F1 when in fact they are just 10% but your patriotism has raised even these stakes to 75%!!! Impressive, even given the current pressurised situation.

I think you will find that outside of Italy there are a lot of people (not everyone, but a lot) who think Ferrari are too big for their boots and in particular are fed up with the constant preferential treatment they recieve from Max Mosley and the FIA. And having the Italian police turn up during qualifying while in Italy - i mean they had the whole weekend, or could indeed have contacted the team anytime they liked, but chose during/after qualifying, but less than 24 hours before the race. How underhand is that?! Personally i was pleased for the McLaren 1-2 after that vulgar display.

Of course McLaren aren't completely innocent....but Ferrari are supposed to be responsible for their employees and it is one of their employees who kicked all this off, remember!

Mike, London,

While you are all tneitled to you OPINIONS, McLaren have NOT been founf guilty yet, although it does not look good for them.
I can't help but feel that this is driven by more than suspicions of misusing illegally obtained information. One has only to look at the past and the actions of the FIA whenever Ferrari have had their backs to the wall.
The feelings between Ron Dennis and Max Mosely are well known, and it has "personal vendetta" written all over it.
But we shall see later today.

Ray Winter, Plettenberg Bay, South Africa

When Alonso said in the past that FIA was favouring Ferrari, everybody thought "stop moaning". When this year he has said the same in his own team refering to the ovius favour Hamilton has recibed, everybody say "stop moaning". Now, I can read a lot of you "moaning" about the "possible" Fia actions. Quite singular.
And when Alonso ("supposed") cheated in Hungary, "breaking" a rule written nowhere, everybody said "It's clear: he has cheated, he has to pay", describing the fellow as a devil and no doubt about the severity of the punishment, even suggesting that it should be harder. Now, when is more than evident that McLaren has broken some rules, even possibly some laws, everybody here is starting to moan again. My point is: Are you sure who are more biased? Who will win the "moan-of-the-year" medal? Alonso? Spaniards? All together? And another point: As the preceading session, after an Alonso dominating weekend it follows some fiasco. What may happen this weekend? We will see it...

Juan, Sevilla, Spain

Neither McLaren drivers and team had to deal with the new tires,
they had all the information they needed... from Ferrari. Thats the point.

Who loves F1 wont quit watching, but this season is simply ruined by this spy-story. Nobody will have anything to be happy about.

I dont think the drivers will be punished though, I have the strange feeling that Hamilton has to win this championship, no matter what.
To many strange favouritisms...

Silvio, Milan, Italy

This is Formula One kicking itself in the head, just when we get an exciting championship, Ferrai have to go and spoil it as always. The bias towards Ferrai must stop otherwise they continue to make themselves look stupid. If Max Mosley can't be impartial then he shouldn't be at the enquiry in the first instance.
Come on Formula One clean up your act starting with the top.
Good luck McLaren.

Judith Pennington, Maidstone, England

Please explain how the chief desiger of Mc Laren which had in hand the drawings of competitors Ferrari did not consider to use them ..... why did he get 780 pages of dossier ... was his toilet paper may be finished ?

Pietro Barbalarga, Padova, Italy

1) If they had the info is one thing (no penalty)
2) if they had the info and look at it close is another thing (small fine)
3) if they had the info, look at it and tried is another thing (Much Larger Penalty and Large cash fine)
4) if they had the info,look at it, tried it and worked on the F1 Car winning races!! (wow another thing wow kick out all including drivers!

But to me they had the info and look at it thats it.

to make the court to decide the Driver championship is wrong is out of line. and Ferrari to accept it wow

now that tells you who they are!!

thanks

Joe, Toronto, Canada

All I can say is ......witch hunt.......for god's sake why would mclaren EVEN NEED Ferari's tech??? Their car design is fundamentally different. Their have been a 100% more reliable than Ferari through out this season. What on earth could have made them want to look at the dossier containing info on how to make your car unreliable with only the SLIGHTEST adavtange of being fast??? I'm sure Mclarenn have learnt over the past seasons that at the end of the day that its realibility that counts. (i.e. WC 2005)

Padma R., Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Craig Mitchell appears to be pronouncing McLaren guilty before the evidence has been heard.

Gill, London, England

Mc Laren are multiple championship winners. Ferrari have been desperately incapable of winning this year. If they cannot beat Mc Laren on track, they want to do so off track. Both teams have great cars and drivers, lets do things on the track. Schumacher at Monte Carlo blocking the track to Alonso was also forgotten. Remember Schumacher in the gravel track helped by th marshals and yet allowed to continue!!

As a Mc Laren fan, I can only hope and pray that Max is not able to have his way at the hearing and things are done in an impartial manner.

Nikhil Kapur, Bangalore, India

Innocent until proven Guilty! I think all the evidence presented so far is inconclusive and it is all an attempt to ascertain Ferrari's F1 championship position! Biased sport!!

Don, London,

Even if Mclaren are guilty, does anyone really believe the other teams do not expend large amounts of effort to discover the advantages thier competitors have. This is not a gentlemens sport it's a multi million pound high risk industry. Team Members are poached, Mechanics, designers, drivers, every season, does anyone believe no information passes hands during this?
Jackie Stewart is right this has been going on for ages by a lot of teams, if Mclaren is punished heavily does the FIA think they'll stay silent and not blow the whistle on all the other teams they know that do this to some degree or other. That will start an avalanche of accusations sponsors will leave as the sports image is eroded. One thing is certain if Mclaren go down there is going to be collateral damage, because they aren't going to lose that much money and just go quietly. The FIA should seriously think about where this story could end...

Rob Simmons, Amsterdam, Netherlands

we are not talking about personal view but We are talking Intellectual property infringement and other unfair acts. An appropriate response is desired.

Luca, madrid,

Coughlan is obviously no saint for obtaining the documents. The real dirty crook must be Stepney for his treachury against his employers and his own team mates.

Mike Coughlan and Nigel Stepney are the guilty individuals bringing down hopes of F1 fans globally. So far no hard evidence has (publicly) suggested that anyone has actually benefitted from this debacle so where does the crime actually lie?

Penalise the real culprits, not who they used to represent.

Jerome, London,

What's the point of watching the racing when the result becomes irelevant due to the events away from the circuit!
Close racing should be just that, not who can employ the best legal team.
Good bye F1!

Steve, Cambridge, UK

Surely it's time that this matter was decided by independent arbitrators in a public hearing, using civil standards of evidence. There is too much potential for bias in the current system.

Alphonso Grenardi, Gloucester, UK

McLaren have had a strong car for years and somehow i don't think they used the Ferrari info. i just hope that a fair decision is made and it isn't the drivers or fans that get punished.
there is only on thing thats certain any car that McLaren make from now on will have a big question mark over it as will any victory and that in its self is not good for such a great sport.

Gerard, Kinross, Scotland

As nice balanced view Luigi.

Maybe 75% of italians woud quit watching but 75% of the fans a slight exaggeration I think.

RSG, London, UK

Using Hamilton for defence is understandable but I'm afraid he will lose focus on the job he wants to finish.
Alonso, on the other hand, is completely focused on what he has to do in the races left this season.
I suspect (wishful thinking perhaps?) the contents of the emails between Pedro de la Rosa and Fernando Alonso have not revealed anything to incriminate McLaren as a team.
It would be a shame for McLaren to undergo a severe punishment if they truly do not deserve it. I would like to see Alonso continue with McLaren next season--if they are allowed to race in 2008. However, if he leaves the team, I would rather not see him driving for Ferrari--BMW or Renault would be a cleaner and better choice.
As far as Hamilton is concerned, if he doesn't take the title this year and McLaren cannot race next year, or if Alonso leaves the team, we may have to wait a few years before we see him take the crown. Don't forget which driver is responsible for most of the car development.

Michel Angstadt, Serranillos del Valle, (Madrid) Spain

Lewis Hamilton has already showing signs of "celebrity status stress" very much as the inevitable consequence of too much media attention and over the top adulation. See what that factor has contributed lately to Jenson Button rather mediocre or low success rate. The problem of Lewis is that he was allowed to start his F1 carreeer with a top team, unlike other rookies in the past. As result we won't know how brilliant he really is, had he started with a "Minardi" class team/car. This announced McLaren's strategy could cost very dear to Lewis Hamilton himself as at his age and level he should stick to his unique role as a F1 driver and not of a supplicant advocate speaking on behalf of a potentially unscrupulous F1 team.

carlo di giorgio, Venice, Italy

The last time Mclaren or Mercedes won the championship was in 1998 ! This was also the first and only time for Mercedes since the championship began in 1958. And it turns out the current comeback coincides with the theft of the Ferrari design spec....
come on people! this is way beyond ridiculous now.....

Ferrari would do well to retire from Formula1. Having won from 1999 to 2004, the drastic rule changes at the end of 2004 were obviously designed to hinder Ferrari. Ferrari should perhaps have left back then already.... it would be insane now to put up with espionage and theft, knowing also full well what would have happened if the thieves had not been the anglo-german team...

Trevor, Bristol, England

As for me and another 2 million Ease Africans today who are watching F1 thanks to Lewis,without him,we can kiss F1 goodbye until such time that he can compete.
If Lewis Hamilton is disqualified,we shall still regard him as THE WINNER of this year's F.
Well done LH.

Sunyaski, Nairobi, Kenya

The FIA must be impartial (if it ever has been toward Ferrari given the obvious biased support it and Michael Schumacher have recieved over the years) and honest about its McLaren spying accusations. It must also get a balance of the impacts on the sport of F1 (something that I have followed passionately for over 40 years) and punishing any infringement of rules.

One hopes the President does not follow his past performances with actions apparently coloured by his personal views.

peter maslen, Cleveland, Queensland Australia

McLaren Mercedes would not be leading in the points if they haden"t used the FERRARI KNOW HOW INFO end of story.... They should be given the hardest punishment possible... I hope they all break down and cry.... Formula one would be NOTHING without FERRARI .. If they left the sport 75% of all the fans around the WORLD would quit watching.....

Luigi Giordani, HALIFAX / NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA

Ron is showing desparation by bringing Lewis Hamilton,
i think they deserve to be excluded from the season but it would be very bad for the sport.

so we have a top team that has cheated in the highest way to gain its succsess this year but they can not be punished as they should becuase it will damage the sport too much.

Craig Mitchell, Armidale,