McLaren fine not enough - Mosley

FIA president Max Mosley insists the punishment imposed on McLaren for their role in the Formula One 'spygate' row may not have been severe enough.

McLaren may appeal after being fined �49.2m and docked all their constructors' points for being in possession of Ferrari technical data.

But Mosley told the BBC: "It's absurd to say it's unfair or disproportionate.

"When the history of this gets to be written, it may be that what we will be reproached for is doing too little."

McLaren were punished on Thursday after the World Motor Sport Council decided new evidence proved the Ferrari data had been used by the British-based team.

McLaren team boss Ron Dennis insisted his team could take "the hit" but that it was "disproportionate to the reality of the situation".

But Mosley responded: "It's actually a very modest penalty indeed. It is less than the difference between the McLaren budget and that of Williams or Renault and several other teams. So it's a very minor punishment as such.

"McLaren were extremely lucky that we didn't quite simply say: 'You have polluted the championship in 2007 and you've probably polluted it in 2008 because we've no way of knowing what information you're using for what in your 2007/2008 car.'"

Meanwhile, Dennis said any decision not to appeal against the fine should not be taken as an admission of guilt by McLaren.

"I can guarantee that our cars have never, ever raced with anybody else's intellectual property," said the 60-year-old.

"But does McLaren take a financial hit in the interests of the sport?

"Once I've reached a decision, I'll make a recommendation to my shareholders, and it is they who will decide."

Source: BBC Sport