McLaren won't appeal spying verdict

Woking, England (Sports Network) - McLaren Racing has decided not to appeal the verdict of the World Motor Sport Council in the spying scandal on the Formula One circuit.
The September 13 ruling included penalties of a $100,000 fine and a forfeiture of points in the constructors' standings for the 2007 season.
"We believe the time has come to put this huge distraction behind us," said McLaren chairman and CEO Ron Dennis in a statement. "McLaren wants to win races and world championships. We are fortunate to have, and continue to receive, unwavering support from our employees, sponsor partners and Formula One fans across the world -- all of whom are equally keen that we totally focus on winning this year's Drivers' Championship and the remaining three races of the season."
Despite the loss of constructors' points, the team's drivers were not affected and can capture the championship.
Lewis Hamilton still leads the standings with 97 points, two ahead of teammate Fernando Alonso.
Last week's penalties stem from an investigation that found a McLaren employee had possession of confidential technical data belonging to rival team Ferrari.
Earlier this year, news broke that a Ferrari employee apparently gave documents to McLaren chief designer Mike Coughlan. Ferrari mechanic Nigel Stepney, accused of supplying those documents to the rival team, was subsequently fired. Coughlan was suspended.
McLaren has admitted that information from Ferrari was in the possession of one of its employees at his home, but has always denied that the team used that knowledge to gain an advantage.

"It is clear from the full judgment that the World Motor Sport Council concluded that the charge that a McLaren employee had 'unauthorized possession of documents and confidential information' was proven," Friday's statement from McLaren read.

"Despite the existence of no evidence that the information was applied, tested or shared with the engineering team (which it was not), this possession constitutes a breach of the Code. For this breach of Article 151c, a very heavy penalty has been imposed on the team.

"The major principle of the issue for McLaren is: this information was not used to gain advantage on its cars."

Just three races remain on this year's Formula One schedule, starting with next weekend's Japanese Grand Prix.