Mixed emotions after decision of the FIA World Motor Sport council

After the decision of the FIA World Motor Sport Council about the spy-saga involving Ferrari and McLaren, the opinions are mixed. McLaren was found guilty of possession of unauthorised Ferrari documents, but with no evidence that the team had made use of the information, the governing body elected not to punish McLaren for now.

Renault's Flavio Briatore said in the Gazetto dello Sport: "I don't understand what happened, because to begin with you would only gather the World Council if you had proof. Otherwise, if you don't have proof, you avoid such a meeting. n So I don't understand what happened: if the FIA admits to have established possession of Ferrari material by McLaren, then why is there no retribution? This verdict reminds me of Pontius Pilate."

"These weeks we've all heard and read what happened, and surely this story has been very damaging for the business of Formula One, also considering the great media exposure it has had. If someone had some advantage from the possession of the material, it would have been fair for him to pay the consequences. Besides, I too would have liked to know Ferrari's weight distribution...

I spoke on the phone with Jean Todt, and he sounded very bitter. I also understand di Montezemolo's anger."

Sir Jacky Stewart backed McLaren by saying to the Gardian: "If one individual is operating independently outside his own remit, then it is right that such clandestine behaviour should be punished on an individual basis."

Former Ferrari driver Mika Salo was not surprised by the scandal. According the Salo, it's usual business in F1. He said in to Ilta-Sanomat. "When I was driving for Ferrari we always spied on McLaren, listening their radio traffic. After every practice session I had in front of me, on paper, all the discussions Mika Hakkinen had had with his engineer."