In response to media specualtion - the FIA have published a letter sent to all 3 Mclaren drivers.
The FIA has noted the various reports in the international press regarding the discovery of new evidence in the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes investigation.
In the interests of complete transparency the FIA has decided to publish the text of the letter written to Fernando Alonso, Pedro De La Rosa and Lewis Hamilton on August 31st, 2007.
It should be clear from the contents of the letter that the three McLaren drivers were required to cooperate fully with the FIA in the completion of its investigation.
It is the duty of all those involved in the sport to ensure the fairness and legitimacy of the FIA Formula One World Championship.
LETTER WRITTEN TO 3 MCLAREN DRIVERS BELOW:
FEDERATION INTERNATIONALE DE L' AUTOMOBILE - BY FAX AND POST 31 August 2007
Dear Mr De La RosaAs you will be aware, the FIA has recently investigated whether, how and to what extentMcLaren was in possession of confidential Ferrari technical information. The FIA hassubsequently been made aware of an allegation that one or more McLaren drivers maybe in possession, or that such drivers have recently been in possession, of writtenevidence relevant to this investigation.
In the interests of the sport and the Championship it is important that the FIA as theregulator establishes unequivocally and rapidly whether or not this allegation has anybasis in fact.
The FIA therefore formally requests that you produce copies of any relevant documentswhich may be in your possession or power of procurement and which may be relevant tothis case. For these purposes “documents” includes all written materials such as emails,letters, electronic communications, text messages, notes, memoranda, drawings,diagrams, data,. or other material, stored in any physical, “hard copy” or electronic form.In particular (though without limiting the generality of this request), the FIA wishes toreceive copies of any electronic communications (howsoever conveyed or stored) whichmay be relevant to this case and which make reference to Ferrari, Nigel Stepney or anytechnical or other information coming from or connected with either Ferrari or MrStepney. In the event that you are aware of the existence or previous existence of anydocument falling within the above description but are not in a position to produce it,please describe the content of the document in question, the circumstances under whichit came to your knowledge and the reasons why you are unable to produce it.
In the event that you are unsure as to whether any document falls within the above description,kindly submit it (or a description of it) and the FIA will assist in making a determination.You will appreciate that there is a duty on all competitors and Super Licence holders toensure the fairness and legitimacy of the Formula One World Championship. It istherefore imperative that if you do have any such information, you make it available to uswithout delay. I can confirm, given the importance of this issue, that any information youmay make available in response to this letter will not result in any proceedings againstyou under the International Sporting Code or the Formula One regulations. However, inthe event that it later comes to light that you have withheld any potentially relevantinformation, serious consequences could follow.
We are sending identical letters to Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton. We lookforward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience. Thank you very much for yourco-operation.
Yours sincerelyMax Mosley
