McLaren ponder 'spygate' appeal

McLaren will decide on Friday whether to appeal against the �49.2m fine and the deduction of all their points from the contractors' championship.

Ron Dennis, McLaren's team chief, said the decision would be made once the FIA outlines its reasons for the punishment on the back of the "spygate" row.

And Dennis has re-iterated that he will not quit despite the severe punishment and will spearhead any appeal.

He said: "My personal future was never in question as far as I was concerned."

Report: McLaren banned over 'spy' row News conference: McLaren boss Ron Dennis

The decision by motorsport's governing body FIA means Ferrari go into this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix second in the constructors' championship, 57 points ahead of third-placed BMW Sauber.

Dennis added: "I am very committed to this company, very passionate about motor racing and I have absolutely no intention of retiring."

The row centres on McLaren being in possession of a confidential 780-page technical document belonging to Ferrari.

The World Motor Sport Council said it would publish the reasoning behind its verdict on Friday.

Dennis said: "I do not accept the we deserve to be penalised or our reputation damaged in this way.

"We did not use any leaked information to gain a competitive advantage. We have got the best drivers and have got the best car and we intend to win the world championship.

"The World Motor Sport Council received statements from our drivers, Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton and Pedro de la Rosa, stating categorically that no Ferrari information had been used by McLaren.

"We have never denied that this information from Ferrari was in the personal possession of one of our employee at his home.

"The issue is, was this information used by McLaren. This is not the case and has not been proved."

Former team boss Eddie Jordan says the size of the punishment meted out to McLaren is "baffling".

Jordan told BBC Radio 5live: "It doesn't seem logical at all in terms of the amount of money, the penalty. It is baffling.

"To the outside world this is a ridiculous amount of money, and we also need to know where is this money going to?"

Jordan also belives the FIA was desperate not to interfere with the drivers' championship and that was why Alsono and Hamilton were not punished.

He added: "The FIA came out and said if there was a full disclosure by the drivers of all the email traffic and any type of information flow between drivers and engineers then they would be immune.

"I thought that was a good way of doing things from the FIA's side. The people at large, particularly the tabloids, will absolutely kill the FIA if they interfere with the potential prospect of having the rookie of the year (Hamilton) not get the championship.

"I think the FIA were very clever in making sure this wasn't a conflict."

Source: BBC Sport