WILL FERRARI SUE McLAREN? | FerrariChat

WILL FERRARI SUE McLAREN?

Discussion in 'F1' started by PhilNotHill, Jul 30, 2007.

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  1. PhilNotHill

    PhilNotHill Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Ferrari unhappy with last week's verdict

    Ferrari chiefs plan to escalate the espionage scandal even further by commencing legal action against McLaren, according to latest reports from Italy.

    Following the World Motor Sport Council's controversial acquittal of Woking based McLaren last Thursday, a spokesman for Ferrari on Monday confirmed that FIA rules do not allow an appeal to be sought.

    The spokesman told the BBC, however, that the Maranello based team - angry that its title rival was not penalised for possessing secret Ferrari information - was 'evaluating all possible options' in the wake of the Paris hearing.

    La Gazzetta dello Sport is now reporting that Ferrari plan to submit a request for prosecution with the legal authorities in Modena.


    The Italian sports daily said the six-page complaint would be lodged on Tuesday morning.

    Ferrari is already pursuing legal action in Italy against sacked employee Nigel Stepney, and in England against suspended McLaren chief designer Mike Coughlan for receiving the 780 pages of Ferrari secrets.

    Ferrari would not confirm the news.

    Source GMM
    CAPSIS International

    http://www.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news/detail/070730165007.shtml
     
  2. Brakefade

    Brakefade Formula Junior

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    If Mcl are found guilty and ordered to pay up, the FIA will look laughable.
     
  3. kraftwerk

    kraftwerk Two Time F1 World Champ

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    The reds should concentrate on doing battle on the track.

    unjust it maybe thats life get on with it IMO
     
  4. Lexdiamonnyc

    Lexdiamonnyc Formula Junior

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    exactly, they act as if this sort of thing hasn't happened in Ferrari's favor in the past........
    just let it be and move on already!!!!!
     
  5. moretti

    moretti Five Time F1 World Champ
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  6. moretti

    moretti Five Time F1 World Champ
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    funny info from Salo :

    http://www.f1complete.com/content/view/5544/617/

    where he covers his tracks by suggesting Ferrari only found out what MH was saying due to "interference", which translates when put into babelfish as "selecting the right channel" :)

    spin doctoring at it's best :)
     
  7. kirill

    kirill Formula Junior

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    I really like to see the 6 pages submitted to Italian police.

    I just can't see the case against McLaren. Of cause - real lawyers can see billable hours everywhere.

    Why there is no case:
    * Subject Matter Experts (FIA) found no evidence of McLaren using Ferrari's data.
    * Coughlan's wife was caught with documents in third party facilities - Employee acting "on frolic of his own" = Employer (McLaren) is not responsible.

    only if McLaren management conspired to cover up - there can be something. But there is no evidence that McLaren management did something illegal about Coughlan's possession of documents. Stepney reporting movable aerodynamic device (floorboard) can be represented as "whistle blower" reporting illegal activity. Brake system data sent by Stepney to McLaren - McLaren can get out of this one as well.

    I see no case. But if Ferrari comes to me - I'd probably take the case and bill them for my services.
     
  8. 1_can_dream

    1_can_dream F1 Veteran

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    I wish they would wait to pursue this until after the season has finished so they're focused on winning the last seven races rather than distracted by even more legal mess.
     
  9. Remy Zero

    Remy Zero Two Time F1 World Champ

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    i don't see how things are going to change should they decide to sue. They're guilty, and they aren't gonna get punished. at least, that what the FIA said. anyways, IMO, nothing's gonna change.

    i do wonder however, say suppose Mac had a very very big lead in the WCC, and their drivers are basically running away in the drivers standings, i do think they'll get punished. i think they'll ban Mac for 3-4 races, and stripped the drivers of their points. ( not all points ).

    i suppose the reason FIA decided not to punish Mac is because, if they did, it'll be Ferrari's championship this season. they want fans to see more close racing, post Schumi era.
     
  10. kraftwerk

    kraftwerk Two Time F1 World Champ

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    +1
    Thing is brian some on here are not happy till they see blood, being short sighted

    MClaren have been damaged by this long term. FACT

    If you want to see a farce of a race ban, deduct, points of them in fact ban the lot of them they all do it.

    What would these boards be like if Ross brawn goes to Mclaren. HA HA :)



    QUOTE=Remy Zero;136933368]i don't see how things are going to change should they decide to sue. They're guilty, and they aren't gonna get punished. at least, that what the FIA said. anyways, IMO, nothing's gonna change.

    i do wonder however, say suppose Mac had a very very big lead in the WCC, and their drivers are basically running away in the drivers standings, i do think they'll get punished. i think they'll ban Mac for 3-4 races, and stripped the drivers of their points. ( not all points ).

    i suppose the reason FIA decided not to punish Mac is because, if they did, it'll be Ferrari's championship this season. they want fans to see more close racing, post Schumi era.[/QUOTE]
     
  11. bigodino

    bigodino F1 World Champ
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    So you're saying that all teams steal 780 pages of confidential information of other teams on a regular basis?

    Ferrari makes a big deal out of it because it IS a big deal. They have no other choice than to pursue this. Todt has said that at the FIA meeting Ferrari didn't get the chance to make their case and the rules don't allow them to object the FIA's decision. So the only way left is the court. Unless Ferrari thinks they don't have a case it would be silly but we don't know. There has been a lot of speculation about how much McLaren knows, who are involved, if the information was useful or not etc. etc.
    We don't know what Ferrari knows. Maybe they know more than you think. I hope they really have a case and don't go sueing just for the fun of it.
     
  12. bigodino

    bigodino F1 World Champ
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    double post, sorry.
     
  13. kraftwerk

    kraftwerk Two Time F1 World Champ

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    Iam not getting drawn into it Iam sick of it ,suffice to say its people within the teams!!! that come and go as they please and take info with them.

    I could nt give a flying ferrari if they sue As i have said B4 they should concern there efforts to beat them on the track where it matters ...


     
  14. vroomgt

    vroomgt Formula 3

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    Exactly, They have no choice: they must and will sue and pursue any other legal remedies.

    The F1 Championship is another thing and will of course be decided on track - some people are unable/unwilling to differentiate.
     
  15. mk e

    mk e F1 World Champ

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    Ahhhh....If ferrari can get the police to file charges in italy, the McLaren boys may not want to come to the Italian GP to be arrested........which translates to a 1 race suspension.
     
  16. parkerfe

    parkerfe F1 World Champ

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    FYI, guilt is a criminal law term, not civil. If Ferrari sues and wins, McLaren will be found liable, not guilty. Where were you in 8th grade civics class?
     
  17. parkerfe

    parkerfe F1 World Champ

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    There's no evidence whatsoever that the McLaren team instigated, participated or even had knowledge of the wrongdoing done by the Ferrari team member in allegedly giving Ferrari documents to a McLaren team memeber. That's why the FIA did not sanction the McLaran team...
     
  18. vroomgt

    vroomgt Formula 3

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    From Todt's "cold light of day" statement:




    "During yesterday's meeting, the McLaren bosses, with no exceptions, admitted that their chief designer had obtained since back in March, prior to the Australian GP, documents from Nigel Stepney.
     
  19. bigodino

    bigodino F1 World Champ
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    I'm not sure about that. The only reason that the FIA didn't sanction is that they didn't believe the information was used on the McLaren car. How they established that is very interesting!
     
  20. Boxer12

    Boxer12 Formula 3

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    Ferrari's main goal in litigation might be investigation. They may just want the chance to haul the opposition into court to compel production of the McL car data and team strategies to investigate the process to 'determine' if they (McL) used the stolen data. Why not seize the opportunity, and level the playing field? Its also the best 'deterent,' another possible motive. I would not hesistate to file suit in the case of corporate espionage. As for all you McL supporters claiming it was just a case of a rogue employee, does Irangate ring any bells? Do you expect Ron Dennis to have his goons use his personal office for the meetings? No, its criminal activity, any idiot would do their dirty deeds away from the office. ;)
     
  21. kirill

    kirill Formula Junior

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    I am starting to get annoyed with the way Todd gives statements to the media - he is getting worse than... what was the Minardi's owner name ? Paul Staughghart ?

    Of cause "the McLaren bosses, with no exceptions, admitted that their chief designer had obtained since back in March, prior to the Australian GP, documents from Nigel Stepney" they had an investigation and found it. There was search in Coughlan's house and documents were found. Of cause McLaren bosses know about it.

    There is no evidence that McLaren bosses knew about it "before" the search and by "before" I mean not by "we are about to go into your chief designer house - there is something you want to know" phone call.
     
  22. Boxer12

    Boxer12 Formula 3

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    There also was no 'evidence' that OJ killed Nicole, and he was acquitted, yet the family won a (what was it?) $12 million verdict in civil court? Hmmm. There also was no evidence that Reagan knew about Ollie's deals, or that Bush was aware there were no WMD's in Iran. Come on Franklin. You don't see the difference between the World Council 'hearing' (cherade) and a civil court? That entire dog and pony show in Paris was simply a political attempt to put a lid on the controversy. Hmm, where were you in law school? ;)
     
  23. Senna3xWC

    Senna3xWC F1 Rookie

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    Wow, are you ever overreaching...

    You can level whatever suspicions you may harbor, but that is all they are. Hearsay is not a substitute for facts. And the facts in this case do not support your conclusions. Your analogies have nothing to do with what we are discussing.
     
  24. PhilNotHill

    PhilNotHill Two Time F1 World Champ
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    I am beginning to think that suing MM would be a PR mistake. In an effort to placate some fans who are up in arms, they may end up alienating just about everyone else. A protracted court battle would not be good for FIA and may end up hurting SF more than it helps.

    As others have stated, they may be going through the motions to gather evidence. This could take a long time. Of course, we have no guaranty that the FIA would have to consider the evidence.

    SF may be using this legal strategy as a lever over MM and F1. What does SF really want? That's the question. Do they want a points reduction, ban from some races, money or expulsion? Or do they want some combination?

    I would like to see SF beat MM on the track as a first choice. SF may turn up the pressure on the legal strategy when it becomes apparent that MM has a lock on the WCC and the WDC.

    (as an side, Stepney is clearly trying to work a deal with Fcar in exchange for what he knows INMVO)
     

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