McLaren Receive Record Fine
14th September, 2007
Thursday's hearing into the alleged McLaren-Mercedes spying on Ferrari has resulted in a record $100 million fine, and the docking of all of the team’s constructors’ championship points. In a positive result for the McLaren drivers, both Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso have escaped with penalty, keeping their world championship points.
"The WMSC (World Motor Sports Council) has stripped Vodafone McLaren Mercedes of all constructors’ points in the 2007 FIA Formula One world championship and the team can score no points for the remainder of the season," the FIA said. “Furthermore the team will pay a fine equal to $100 million (£49.2 million), less the FOM income lost as a result of the points deduction."
Many have criticized the whole saga for the negative impact on the sport, however some think that it may breath fresh life into a dying sport. Lewis Hamilton is 2/5 with Betfred to be on the podium at this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix.
