Well, Ron Dennis makes a big deal of rivals spying on his McLaren team. But looks like the tables have turned this time. In what has come as a shocking disclosure in the Ferrari espionage case, a McLaren employee Mike Coughlan has been caught in possession of sensitive Ferrari formula one plans. Mike Coughlan is McLaren chief designer.

It is believed by the Ferrari formula one team that Nigel Stepney stole parts of Ferrari formula one and sold technical secrets to McLaren aiding them in outpacing the Ferrari team.

“We have proof that Stepney had been supplying technical information to a McLaren employee,” Ferrari spokesman said.

“A search was carried out of the McLaren engineer’s house, where we found this information,”

“This is a very serious situation. We are talking about a lot of information being given to a prominent McLaren engineer. We are not talking about rumours or speculation.”

As Ferrari said, a LOT of information about their technical plans was shared with McLaren, an obvious advantage for McLaren. Not only do they discover the weaknesses in the Ferrari F1, they can also copy their strengths.

McLaren meanwhile has suspended him pending investigation.

“McLaren became aware on the 3 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.

“While McLaren has no involvement in the matter and condemns such actions it will fully co-operate with any investigation. The individual has in the meantime been suspended by the company pending a full and proper investigation of the matter.”

This particular development is shameful for McLaren, it means that its entirely possible that the advantage McLaren gained over Ferrari? in the pre North American and North American leg of the season could be due to the information its employee stole from the Ferrari F1 team.
Friend’s advice to Nigel Stepney : Get out of Italy as soon as possible, if the tifosi believe you were stabbing Ferrari in the back, things could get a little out of hand !!!