Ferrari has retained Quest, the forensic intelligence organisation headed by former Metropolitan Police Commissioner Lord Stevens who recently led the inquiry into the death of Princess Diana, to investigate the growing Maranello 'espionage' crisis which surrounds former Scuderia engineer Nigel Stepney and McLaren's currently-suspended Chief Designer, Mike Coughlan.

Quest is an independent firm servicing industry, financial institutions, Government departments and individuals - says its mission statement, adding that it provides advisory services at Board and Chairman level on a wide range of disciplines including security, investigations and risk management. Quest is headquartered in central London and with operatives around the world.

Lord Stevens served for 42 years in the Police Service, which culminated in his appointment as Commissioner of The Metropolitan Police from 2000 until 2005. Lord Stevens has been widely praised for enquiries he led into breaches of security by the Security Forces in Northern Ireland. He has recently conducted the high-profile enquiry into Princess Diana’s death. Last year the FA Premier League appointed him to conduct an inquiry into alleged irregular payments from football transfer dealings; the inquiry, which was finally wrapped up in June, cost the FA Premier League a reported £1.3 million. During his career Lord Stevens has been commended on 27 occasions for outstanding detective ability or courage.
 

His retention by Ferrari was confirmed this morning by a spokesman for Quest. "I can confirm that Quest have been retained by Ferrari, as evidenced by mention of Quest in papers filed at the High Court. I am unable to confirm the nature of Quest's engagement at this stage," the Daily Telegraph, quoted the spokesman as saying. Stevens will now examine how the confidential 780 page long Ferrari dossier came into the hands of Coughlan, the suspected role of Stepney and the implications of the affair.

Meanwhile the McLaren-Mercedes team, who strenuously deny all charges, will face the crunch FIA enquiry in Paris tomorrow morning, with paddock gossip suggesting that the FIA has gathered together sufficient information to charge and penalise the English team. Draconian penalties, not unknown for the FIA which has in the past taken a tough line on cheating, could be applied; and FIA President Max Mosley said during the weekend's European Grand Prix that "the credibility of F1 and sporting fairness is at stake."