Jade Stone

McLaren stripped of constructors’ points

The McLaren Mercedes team has been docked all of their points in the constructors’ championship for their role in the spying affair on rivals Ferrari, the FIA announced today.

The news means that Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso are still leading the drivers’ championship from their Ferrari rivals.

However, the team has also been hit with a 100 million (US) dollar fine and will have their 2008 challenger, the MP4-23, under observation ahead of next season to ensure that intellectual property rights belonging to Ferrari are not implemented.

McLaren Mercedes led the constructors’ championship with 166 points, 23 ahead of Ferrari prior to the announcement. The loss of points will also bring a financial penalty to the team in the longer-term.

Breaking News – McLaren disqualified ?

McLaren Mercedes has been disqualified from the 2007 and 2008 world championships, according to the first reports from the now concluded World Motor Sport Council hearing in Paris.

This however has yet to be confirmed as deliberations continue at the Paris venue. Reports from Spa Francorchamps suggest that the team are packing up for the day…

Details to follow…