The Ferrari investigation (McLaren issues apology)

Redhead · Post by **Redhead** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 8:37 pm

Speaking of what is going on at Ferrari, what is this Nigel Stepney business all about?

It has been well reported that he was unhappy at not getting a more significant position when Ross went on sabbatical, and well rumoured that he was being courted by Honda.

But now Ferrari have made a complaint to the Modena police about Stepney and a criminal investigation is underway. No details are forthcoming but the word is it is something to do with a sabotage attempt on the Ferraris at Monaco, something to do with white powder in the fuel tanks.

Stepney of course denies any wrongdoing. So there are two possibilities 1) He did it 2) Ferrari have fabricated the charges. Neither of these possibilities make any sense to me, what would Stepney possibly gain by attempting to sabotage the Ferraris, but equally Ferrari trumping up criminal charges seems an extreme course of action. Either way there are some pretty dark and nasty forces at work here, and I would have thought, perhaps naively, that both parties had better things to do with their time, and any dispute could have been resolved in a much more dignified manner.

Where is the truth in this story, it will be fascinating to find out, if we ever do.

Ed · Post by Ed » Thu Jun 28, 2007 2:12 am

Redhead wrote:Speaking of what is going on at Ferrari, what is this Nigel Stepney business all about?

It has been well reported that he was unhappy at not getting a more significant position when Ross went on sabbatical, and well rumoured that he was being courted by Honda.

But now Ferrari have made a complaint to the Modena police about Stepney and a criminal investigation is underway. No details are forthcoming but the word is it is something to do with a sabotage attempt on the Ferraris at Monaco, something to do with white powder in the fuel tanks.

Stepney of course denies any wrongdoing. So there are two possibilities 1) He did it 2) Ferrari have fabricated the charges. Neither of these possibilities make any sense to me, what would Stepney possibly gain by attempting to sabotage the Ferraris, but equally Ferrari trumping up criminal charges seems an extreme course of action. Either way there are some pretty dark and nasty forces at work here, and I would have thought, perhaps naively, that both parties had better things to do with their time, and any dispute could have been resolved in a much more dignified manner.

Where is the truth in this story, it will be fascinating to find out, if we ever do.

I think the two stories are mixed up and agree they don't make sense! Stepney has taken a different role and is (or was) involved with Performance development and isn't involved with the race team.
The white powder (if the story is true) would have been put there by someone other than Stepney so are they investigating others ? Unless they have proof of course that he was intentionally trying to make the car illegal (because he wasn't happy with the way he is being treated!)

I suspect though, it is more to do with Stepney's links with Honda and it could be that he intentionally or otherwise gave them some sensitive Ferrari information or that they have some information on him from the past and when they felt he was heading to Honda, they decided to take legal action.

Ferrari don't need this negative publicity and it is surprising that they are taking this route. I would say that they must have a good case.

Redhead · Post by **Redhead** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 10:24 pm

Ed wrote:
Redhead wrote:Speaking of what is going on at Ferrari, what is this Nigel Stepney business all about?

It has been well reported that he was unhappy at not getting a more significant position when Ross went on sabbatical, and well rumoured that he was being courted by Honda.

But now Ferrari have made a complaint to the Modena police about Stepney and a criminal investigation is underway. No details are forthcoming but the word is it is something to do with a sabotage attempt on the Ferraris at Monaco, something to do with white powder in the fuel tanks.

Stepney of course denies any wrongdoing. So there are two possibilities 1) He did it 2) Ferrari have fabricated the charges. Neither of these possibilities make any sense to me, what would Stepney possibly gain by attempting to sabotage the Ferraris, but equally Ferrari trumping up criminal charges seems an extreme course of action. Either way there are some pretty dark and nasty forces at work here, and I would have thought, perhaps naively, that both parties had better things to do with their time, and any dispute could have been resolved in a much more dignified manner.

Where is the truth in this story, it will be fascinating to find out, if we ever do.
I think the two stories are mixed up and agree they don't make sense! Stepney has taken a different role and is (or was) involved with Performance development and isn't involved with the race team.
The white powder (if the story is true) would have been put there by someone other than Stepney so are they investigating others ? Unless they have proof of course that he was intentionally trying to make the car illegal (because he wasn't happy with the way he is being treated!)

I suspect though, it is more to do with Stepney's links with Honda and it could be that he intentionally or otherwise gave them some sensitive Ferrari information or that they have some information on him from the past and when they felt he was heading to Honda, they decided to take legal action.

Ferrari don't need this negative publicity and it is surprising that they are taking this route. I would say that they must have a good case.

Thanks Ed, that sounds a bit more believable. It can't be helping the mood at Ferrari. Here's hoping the good test at Silverstone translates into some results this weekend.

Dzu-Fast · Post by **Dzu-Fast** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 3:06 am

Redhead wrote:
Ed wrote:
Redhead wrote:Speaking of what is going on at Ferrari, what is this Nigel Stepney business all about?

It has been well reported that he was unhappy at not getting a more significant position when Ross went on sabbatical, and well rumoured that he was being courted by Honda.

But now Ferrari have made a complaint to the Modena police about Stepney and a criminal investigation is underway. No details are forthcoming but the word is it is something to do with a sabotage attempt on the Ferraris at Monaco, something to do with white powder in the fuel tanks.

Stepney of course denies any wrongdoing. So there are two possibilities 1) He did it 2) Ferrari have fabricated the charges. Neither of these possibilities make any sense to me, what would Stepney possibly gain by attempting to sabotage the Ferraris, but equally Ferrari trumping up criminal charges seems an extreme course of action. Either way there are some pretty dark and nasty forces at work here, and I would have thought, perhaps naively, that both parties had better things to do with their time, and any dispute could have been resolved in a much more dignified manner.

Where is the truth in this story, it will be fascinating to find out, if we ever do.
I think the two stories are mixed up and agree they don't make sense! Stepney has taken a different role and is (or was) involved with Performance development and isn't involved with the race team.
The white powder (if the story is true) would have been put there by someone other than Stepney so are they investigating others ? Unless they have proof of course that he was intentionally trying to make the car illegal (because he wasn't happy with the way he is being treated!)

I suspect though, it is more to do with Stepney's links with Honda and it could be that he intentionally or otherwise gave them some sensitive Ferrari information or that they have some information on him from the past and when they felt he was heading to Honda, they decided to take legal action.

Ferrari don't need this negative publicity and it is surprising that they are taking this route. I would say that they must have a good case.
Thanks Ed, that sounds a bit more believable. It can't be helping the mood at Ferrari. Here's hoping the good test at Silverstone translates into some results this weekend.

Yeah , you've got to wonder what the internal morale is at Ferrari right now . They need some good news for a change . I wonder if there are others on the team that are worried a bit , whether they should be or not , especially if they had much interaction with Stepney.

Ed · Post by Ed » Wed Jul 04, 2007 2:49 am

Nigel Stepney was officially dismissed on Tuesday (3/7) following a Ferrari internal investigation.

Following the dismissal, the McLaren team released a statement indicating that one of it's senior technical staff has been suspended after receiving a technical package from a Ferrari employee. The statement read:

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.

It isn't yet clear if this is directly linked to Nigel Stepney's dismissal and it isn't clear who this senior technical staff member is.

Dzu-Fast · Post by **Dzu-Fast** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 3:14 am

Wow ! I wonder if anything was gleened from the info that made it onto the car . This could get ugly , or should I say " will " .

gkaytaz · Post by **gkaytaz** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 3:27 am

Dzu-Fast wrote:Wow ! I wonder if anything was gleened from the info that made it onto the car . This could get ugly , or should I say " will " .

Considering that you're talking about Ferrari "could" fits the bill better

jido · Post by **jido** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 4:48 am

Crazy times

Dzu-Fast · Post by **Dzu-Fast** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 6:35 am

The Mclaren team member has been named http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60466

Sr. Engineer Mike Coughlan - Chief Designer

jacfan · Post by **jacfan** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 11:57 am

You have to wonder what the real story is.

I tend to agree with Gkay though. More "could" than "will".

Dzu-Fast · Post by **Dzu-Fast** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 12:43 pm

Gonna be one of those " wait and see " things . This could drag out in courts for a while .

Meanwhile , I'm sure plenty will be calling for the Mclaren team to be punished , even though nothing has been proven yet , and even if it is true , doesn't mean the others there knew what was going on .

But if F-1 discovers this info made it onto the car , they may not have much choice but to punish the team . Could be a raw deal for them .

Southernman · Post by **Southernman** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 5:51 pm

I find it hard to believe that someone at McLaren could have this info since late april and no one else knew about it. Could it be a case of we'll turn a blind eye to what you do, but if you get caught your on your own and we will be the first to condemn you.

I hope that things aren't as bad as it seems.

jacfan · Post by **jacfan** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 7:52 pm

Dzu-Fast wrote:
Gonna be one of those " wait and see " things . This could drag out in courts for a while .

Meanwhile , I'm sure plenty will be calling for the Mclaren team to be punished , even though nothing has been proven yet , and even if it is true , doesn't mean the others there knew what was going on .

But if F-1 discovers this info made it onto the car , they may not have much choice but to punish the team . Could be a raw deal for them .

But if it is punishable for McLaren then it must also be for Ferrari.

jacfan · Post by **jacfan** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 7:53 pm

Southernman wrote:I find it hard to believe that someone at McLaren could have this info since late april and no one else knew about it. Could it be a case of we'll turn a blind eye to what you do, but if you get caught your on your own and we will be the first to condemn you.

I hope that things aren't as bad as it seems.

I find that very believable. I dare say that there would be a lot that happens behind closed doors that none of us ever become aware of happening.

gkaytaz · Post by **gkaytaz** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 7:59 pm

jacfan wrote:But if it is punishable for McLaren then it must also be for Ferrari.

On slightly different grounds... However I agree, if one gets a punishment the other should not be spared.

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