Ferrari have effectively been handed the Formula 1 constructors' title this year after the FIA stripped McLaren of all the points it has amassed this year during a hearing today. From a 23 point deficit to McLaren in the constructors championship, Ferrari now has a very comfortable 57 point advantage over the new second placed team in the series, BMW Sauber.

The sensation espionage case which has been in the headlines all summer long came to a dramatic conclusion in Paris today with the McLaren-Mercedes team handed a record US$100 million fine, although its two drivers Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton were allowed to keep their points. New evidence suggests that emails sent between the McLaren drivers as well as the team's official test driver Pedro de la Rosa implicated information that former Ferrari engineer Nigel Stepney had leaked to McLaren's now-suspended Chief Designer Mike Coughlan. All the McLaren drivers were asked by the FIA to provide written statements prior to the hearing. While McLaren brought Hamilton to the hearing to speak, team mate Alonso was conspicuous by his absence, while former Ferrari technical Director Ross Brawn was a somewhat of a surprise attendee at the hearing in Paris today.

A full statement issued this evening by the FIA read: "In an extraordinary meeting of the World Motor Sport Council was held in Paris on the 12th of September 2007, The following decision was taken: The WMSC has stripped Vodafone McLaren Mercedes of all constructors' points in the 2007 FIA Formula One World Championship an the team can score no point for the remainder of the season. Furthermore, the team will pay a fine equal to 100 million dollar, less the FOM income lost as a result of the points deduction.
 

"However, due to the exceptional circumstances in which the FIA gave the team's drivers an immunity in return for providing evidence, there is no penalty in regards to drivers' points. The WMSC will receive a full technical report on the 2008 McLaren car and will take a decision at its December 2007 meeting as to what sanction, if any, will be imposed on the team for the 2008 season. The full reasons for this decision will be issued on the 14th September 2007." The statement added: "Points gained by other teams so far this season will not be affected. No McLaren representative will be allowed on the podium should a McLaren driver win in any of the remaining races of the 2007 season."

Ferrari professed themselves satisfied that the truth had emerged. "Ferrari welcomed on Thursday a ruling by Formula One's governing body that stripped McLaren of their constructors' points and effectively handed the title to the Italian team," read a statement issued this evening. "Ferrari acknowledges the decision of the FIA to sanction Vodafone McLaren Mercedes for its breach of article 151c of the International Sporting Code," the team said in a statement at the Belgian Grand Prix. In light of new evidence, facts and behaviour of an extremely serious nature and grossly prejudicial to the interest of the sport have been further demonstrated," the statement issued in Maranello concluded.