McLaren will have to wait until February 14

The McLaren team remains confident that the FIA will not find any traces of Ferrari data on their 2008 cars, even though the governing body of the sport has decided that the matter will be debated later.

The meeting of the World Motor Sport Council in Monaco was supposed to make a decision, which was expected this week, but has ultimately been postponed to February 14.

The FIA declares that McLaren and Ferrari will be invited to discuss this issue during the next World Motor Sport Council meeting to be held in Paris.

McLaren says it is confident that no evidence of Ferrari data use will be found.

McLaren has taken note of the postponement decreed by the World Motor Sport Council on the decision regarding a possible sanction against the 2008 cars. Another extraordinary meeting will take place on Thursday, February 14, 2008, in Paris, the team stated in a press release.

« From the start, McLaren has fully cooperated with the FIA and remains convinced that no confidential Ferrari information was incorporated into the 2007 and 2008 McLaren-Mercedes cars.

FIA President Max Mosley, however, told reporters in Monaco that doubt remains.

« We had hoped that the investigation conducted a few months ago would mark the end of this matter. As you may have noticed, that was not the case. We received a report that requires the organization of another hearing, » he said.

When asked if he feared that something had been overlooked in the initial investigations regarding McLaren, the Briton added: « It’s a question one could ask. »

« But on February 14, it will be the last hearing concerning this case. Therefore, this time it will be necessary to review everything and ensure that all concerned parties are present, » Mosley concluded.