Alonso reveals 'moral obligation' to help probe
Fernando Alonso has revealed the threat of an FIA sanction led to “a moral obligation” to co-operate with their spy investigation.
Alonso claims he had “no choice” but to reveal what he knows, even if that could lead to McLaren being punished when the World Motor Sport Council reconvenes to discuss the matter on Thursday.
The FIA, the sport’s world governing body, last week launched an investigation into an allegation “one or more” of McLaren’s drivers are, or may have been in possession of material relating to the case.
That led to president Max Mosley writing a letter to all Formula One team principals – as well as Lewis Hamilton, Alonso and McLaren reserve Pedro de la Rosa – urging them to come forward with any details to substantiate the claim.
Mosley promised the drivers they would not be punished should they divulge any details, otherwise “serious consequences” would follow should they later be found to be withholding information.
Alonso told Spanish sports newspaper AS: “I only see one option, and that is to support this investigation and give them what they ask for.
“When the highest authority in a sport asks you to co-operate, there’s nothing you can object to. You’ve no choice.
“I can’t race thinking that I didn’t act correctly. There are moral reasons that tie me to my sport.
“I can’t hide information that could be revealed by others and run the risk the FIA accuses me of hiding information and sanctioning me.
“The only thing I have done is met a moral obligation and responded to what the FIA asked of me.
“I won’t start judging what I’ve sent them. They should decide this.”
The new evidence, reportedly an e-mail exchange between Alonso and de la Rosa, has led to the FIA scrapping a planned hearing of the Court of Appeal, with the 25-man Council to now sit in judgment.
McLaren were found guilty by the Council of fraudulent conduct at the initial hearing on July 26, namely being in possession of unauthorised documents belonging to Ferrari.
However there was not enough evidence to prove a 780-page dossier found at the home of suspended McLaren chief designer Mike Coughlan had been used by the Woking-based team, and so they avoided any sanctions, to the outrage of Ferrari.
If the allegations are subsequently proven, it is possible McLaren could be expelled from this year’s championship, and that of 2008, which would ruin Hamilton’s title hopes.
