FIA declares spy row closed

Biggest controversy of 2007 finally comes to an end

Following on from McLaren's letter of apology to the FIAover the ‘Spygate' saga that has rocked Formula 1in 2007, the sport's governing body has seemingly moved to officially bring an end to the matter.

McLaren, Ferrariand Renaulthave all been implicated in the row, with the former being fined a sporting record $100 million USD and excluded from the 2007 world constructors' standings back in September. The Woking-based outfit's 2008 contender was also due to be heavily scrutinised before being cleared to compete in next year's championship.

In its 13 September decision, the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) had instructed the FIA technical department to ‘conduct an investigation of the preparatory work by McLarenon its 2008 car with a view to determining whether that car incorporates any Ferrari confidential information, and report back before the WMSC meeting of December 2007'.

Now, however, it appears the issue may finally have been put to bed, following the FIA's response to McLaren's apology [click here].

An official FIA statement read:

‘In the light of McLaren's public apology and undertakings, the FIA President has asked the members of the World Motor Sport Council for their consent to cancel the hearing scheduled for 14 February 2008 and, in the interests of the sport, to consider this matter closed.'