McLaren and Ferrari Employees Targeted in Formula 1 Espionage Probe

The skullduggery is fascinating around Formula 1 these days. A Ferrari employee has been fired, a McLaren-Mercedes employee has been suspended and courts in both Italy and the U.K. are now investigating allegations of technical espionage involving the two Formula 1 racing teams.

Ferrari said in an official statement this week on its Web site that the investigation started when "a third party outside Formula 1 racing" told the Italian automaker that "a senior member of the technical staff within the Vodafone McLaren-Mercedes team might be in possession of highly sensitive Ferrari information." The company said it has consulted with lawyers in London and then brought the situation to the attention of court authorities in the U.K. Ferrari emphasized that the company has been barred by the London High Court from making further public statements about the situation. The Modena (Italy) court is also investigating the matter, Ferrari said.

Ferrari had confirmed earlier this week that it alleges "the theft of technical information" by a member of the McLaren team. Ferrari did not name the McLaren employee, but McLaren announced that Chief Designer Mike Coughlan has been suspended in the aftermath of a police search of Coughlan's home that turned up documents allegedly belonging to Ferrari.

Coughlan is suspected of collaborating with Ferrari's Nigel Stepney, who was dismissed from the Italian team Tuesday. The team has initiated actions against Stepney, claiming he was involved in sabotage and espionage against his employer.

McLaren has been the dominant team in F1 this year, with rookie Lewis Hamilton soaring into the lead in driver standings after the first seven races. Ferrari won last Sunday's French Grand Prix, with Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa sweeping the top two spots. Hamilton was 3rd and two-time defending champion Fernando Alonso came in 7th.

The four drivers have each won two of the eight races so far this year.