MCLAREN ESCAPES SANCTIONS.(Competition)

To Ferrari's fury, McLaren-Mercedes escaped sanctions by the FIA World Motor Sport Council in the Formula One industrial espionage scandal (Competition, July 30). In a six-hour hearing, lawyers from both teams spoke of the discovery of 780 pages of confidential Ferrari information in the home of McLaren's chief designer, Mike Coughlan, who allegedly received it from Nigel Stepney, Ferrari's former head of team performance development.

The unanimous judgment confirmed that the WMSC accepted that McLaren possessed confidential Ferrari information. But noted: "There is insufficient evidence that this information was used in such a way as to interfere improperly with the world championship,'' stated the WMSC. "But if it is found in the future that the information has been used to the detriment of the championship, we reserve the right to invite McLaren back . . . where it will face the possibility of exclusion from not only the 2007 championship but also the 2008 championship. The WMSC will also invite Mr. Stepney and Mr. Coughlan to show reason why they should not be banned from international motorsport for a lengthy period.''

McLaren said the decision was "balanced and fair,'' but Ferrari was not impressed. Ferrari boss Jean Todt risked the FIA's wrath when he told the Corriere della Sera newspaper: "I wonder what would have happened with the roles reversed . . . There would have been cries of a scandal, an exemplary punishment would have been demanded-and it would have been granted, I have no doubt. There is no sign of logic in this verdict.''

Ferrari is evaluating an appeal.

SPEED VS. TOST

American F1 driver Scott Speed told SpeedTV.com that he was involved in a physical altercation at the European Grand Prix ("Seven-Race Shootout,'' AW, July 30) with Scuderio Team Rosso manager Franz Tost. Speed had just aquaplaned out of the race when the incident took place.

"[Tost] was furious that I crashed,'' Speed said. "I just turned away and walked towards the garage, and I guess he must have caught up behind me. When he reached me, he hit me in the middle of the back with a closed fist. Everyone in the team saw it. He then followed me ...