F1 2007

[David Morton]

Written by McLaren Racing Tuesday, 03 July 2007 McLaren became aware on the 3rd July 2007 that a senior member of its technical organisation was the subject of a Ferrari investigation regarding the receipt of technical information. The team has learnt that this individual had personally received a package of technical information from a Ferrari employee at the end of April.

Whilst McLaren has no involvement in the matter and condemns such actions it will fully co-operate with any investigation. The individual has in the meanwhile been suspended by the company pending a full and proper investigation of the matter.

No further comment will be made.

 

[Pat Buckley]

So how exactly does Adrian Newey fit into this whole issue?

 

[Pete McCluskey.]

From F1.com.


Red Bull to race 30,000 faces at Silverstone

The Red Bulls of Mark Webber and David Coulthard will sport a unique livery at this weekend's British Grand Prix. Instead of the traditional corporate sponsorship and blue and red team colours, the bodywork of the two RB3s will be plastered with photographs of fans.
The one-off initiative, which hoped to raise more than US$1 million for spinal cord charity, Wings for Life, was launched back in May at the Monaco Grand Prix. Since then more than 30,000 fans have visited the team’s website to upload photographs and pledge money.

After last week’s closing date, the finished artwork was printed onto large sheets of vinyl, ready to be applied to the two cars. With the British race taking place so soon after last weekend’s French event, the team rushed Coulthard's car back from Magny-Cours on Sunday night to begin work. Finishing touches to both Red Bulls will take place on Wednesday in the squad's garage at Silverstone.

No stickers will be placed on the front and rear wings, or any of the car’s leading edges, to ensure the innovative livery doesn’t interfere with the RB3’s aerodynamic integrity.

 

[David Morton]

Pat,
It won't be long before some 'insider' spills all the info to one of the weekly mag's but I know for a fact that McLaren have taken info before from all sorts of sources, RaceMet (my operation) being one of them. For me it would have cost too much to mount an action.

 

[Pat Buckley]

I was somewhat "tongue in cheek" with the comment, David, but looking back on it, with Adrian now working for the team he is, one has to wonder.

Is McLaren known for this kind of thing or is it pretty much a universal type of activity?

 

[David Morton]

Pat,
I really don't think any team is averse to listening what goes on in the other teams. Is that espionage or intelligence ? Sigint (radio intelligence) was and probably still is rife - The J's who manned Kenwood in 97/98 were always listening in to other teams RT and they also believed that my frequency was monitored by the Italians and sometimes it was quite funny to organise a bit of chaos and watch their reactions.
Nowadays, any info I send is impregnable unless you have co-operating terminals at the other end which is great.
But getting back to your question Pat, the answer is they all do.

 

[Keith]

I was somewhat "tongue in cheek" with the comment, David, but looking back on it, with Adrian now working for the team he is, one has to wonder.

Is McLaren known for this kind of thing or is it pretty much a universal type of activity?

Adrian is now with Red Bull and has been since 2006.

F1 has always been riddled with alleged dirty tricks and other shenanigans including sabotage and espionage. Remember when there was an allegation that some teams (Ferrari maybe?) were causing rivals cars to misfire using powerful rays when passing the pits?

And I think Ron would do (almost) anything to unsettle Ferrari....or anyone else who came between him and the (constructors) title..

However, I miss JMB..now he was a TRUE conspirator, and being French gave him a head start....

(No offence intended to any French members here, but he was special)

 

[DaveL485]

Wow, I don't think i've ever read such an insightful thread on F1....and with no swearing either
It usually degrades into a 'Schumacher is ***' conversation....well, till he retired anyway.

I'm truly shocked by Hamiltons 8-for-8 podiums/races, although my patriotic side is chuffed to bits after the let down of Button (Is he the next Coulthard?). I'm wondering if the benevolent Mr Dennis has any warmings toward our Lewis, as suggested by Fernando.....one can't help but wonder. Renault are a let down up to now, seems Flavio is flagging without a super talented driver. What happened to the innovations of previous years!?

Well....an interesting season. Wonder what exciting new 'innovations' Mr Ecclestone will think up next......

(*** Replace with any words you see fit)

 

[Pete McCluskey.]

I saw this on formula1.com but could not find another press release on the Mclaren web site. Have you heard any more David?

"Following the earlier news that a McLaren engineer has been suspended in connection with alleged theft of technical information from Ferrari, the British team have issued a second statement regarding the matter.

Formula One racing's governing body, the FIA, has also said they are launching a formal investigation into the issue, with the full cooperation of both teams"

 

[DaveL485]

".....Ferrari has accused its former technical manager Nigel Stepney of passing on confidential documents."

A Ferrari spokesperson said-
"Ferrari confirm that we have brought an action against Nigel Stepney and a Vodafone McLaren Mercedes technical engineer in a court in Modena [Italy] regarding the theft of technical information........".
Referring to the furore surrounding one of its senior staff, McLaren confirmed in a statement yesterday that the unnamed "individual had personally received a package of technical information from a Ferrari employee at the end of April."

several reports had suggested that a search warrant for a house in Surrey had been issued through the British courts and that a criminal investigation was underway.

McLaren suspended the employee - reported to be chief designer Mike Coughlan - after learning he personally had received a package of technical information from a Ferrari employee at the end of April.


:dead: :dead: :dead:

I Suppose its the F1 engineering equivalent of being caught shagging Bernie's Mrs.....boomsmile

 

[David Morton]

She's too tall ! At least she looks very tall but thats when she's standing alongside the vertically challenged one.

 

[Pete McCluskey.]

She's too tall ! At least she looks very tall but thats when she's standing alongside the vertically challenged one.

No she's not David, if you got close I'm sure you could rise to the occasion so to speak I'm Damn sure I could.

 

[Pat Buckley]

Adrian is now with Red Bull and has been since 2006.

F1 has always been riddled with alleged dirty tricks and other shenanigans including sabotage and espionage. Remember when there was an allegation that some teams (Ferrari maybe?) were causing rivals cars to misfire using powerful rays when passing the pits?

And I think Ron would do (almost) anything to unsettle Ferrari....or anyone else who came between him and the (constructors) title..

However, I miss JMB..now he was a TRUE conspirator, and being French gave him a head start....

(No offence intended to any French members here, but he was special)

I knew that, thanks.

The point of the comment was that an ex-McLaren employee is now working for a team that uses Ferrari engines.......

 

[DaveL485]

She's too tall ! At least she looks very tall but thats when she's standing alongside the vertically challenged one.

I'll be ok, i'm 6'6".....although I bet she's more interested in the size of other things and my wallet is a LOT smaller than Bernie's.....

....and yes, I said WALLET

 

[Keith]

I knew that, thanks.

The point of the comment was that an ex-McLaren employee is now working for a team that uses Ferrari engines.......

Sorry I missed your point there, but there are ex Mclaren employees working for everyone else and everyone else's employees working for McLaren......

 

[Pete McCluskey.]

6 Jul 2007 FIA Friday press conference - Britain


Reproduced with kind permission of the FIA

Drivers and team principals: David Coulthard and Christian Horner (Red Bull); Lewis Hamilton and Ron Dennis (McLaren).
Q: Ron, a lot has happened since the initial invitation to you to come to this press conference, and perhaps the emphasis has slightly changed from one subject to another. We understand, obviously, that for legal reasons you are limited as to what you can say, but is there anything you can update us on about the finding of Ferrari data in the home of one of your employees?
Ron Dennis: Well, I think you accurately say that it was in that person’s home. We’ve been very specific in our press releases. This concerns the intellectual property of another Grand Prix team and there is no intellectual property of another Grand Prix team on our cars, nor will there be, nor has there ever been. We have very high standards in our organisation. My own integrity is woven into the fabric of our company and I am now, having supervised a very detailed investigation within our own organisation, able to say that with absolute certainty that as this unfolds over the next few days, people will clearly understand all the facts behind what has been a difficult experience for McLaren. I can attempt to answer questions, but I want to be constrained in what I say because there are lots of people’s reputations at stake here, not just our company’s. But in speaking for our company, we, I’m sure, will be completely vindicated with the passing of time.

 

[Keith]

Plus he's got the kid on pole......

Great qualie, almost got excited - unfortunately I inevitably doze off no matter how interesting......

It's the drone you see (James Allen) Uh oh, here I go.....:zzz:

 

[Paolo-LoveGT40 Modelworks]

Nigel Stepney year earning from Ferrari spa is for 750.000 gbp.

Nice to see italy so much loved by some people..

 

[Chris Simpson]

There is constant movement of technical personnel around the F1 teams and, inevitabily, they must carry information from the team they have left to the new team, even if it is only in their heads. Just hope this business doesn,t affect the drivers' points situation - as Max Mosely has intimated it might.

 

[Pete McCluskey.]

I think there is a huge difference between what one has in his head and actually copying documents. Of course this is only alleged and Stepney is vigorously denying that.

It would be a shame if a driver or drivers lost points because of this.
Also I think it is a case of "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone".