McLaren get suspended three-race ban

• WMSC praise team principal for 'open and honest' response• Ban will only be enforced if there is a further breachMcLaren have been handed a suspended three-race ban by the World Motor Sport Council after apologising for lying to race officials.The team's pro-active approach in the run up to the extraordinary hearing of the WMSC in Paris appeared to have played its part in softening the blow as McLaren escaped a heavier punishment, having pleaded guilty on all five counts of breaching the International Sporting Code.A WMSC statement read: "Having regard to the open and honest way in which McLaren team principal, Mr Martin Whitmarsh, addressed the WMSC and the change in culture which he made clear has taken place in his organisation, the WMSC decided to suspend the application of the penalty it deems appropriate."That penalty is a suspension of the team from three races of the FIA Formula One World Championship. This will only be applied if further facts emerge regarding the case or if, in the next 12 months, there is a further breach by the team of article 151 c of the International Sporting Code."As expected, reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton has avoided any further punishment after his disqualification from the Australian Grand Prix. Hamilton was initially promoted from fourth to third after the race stewards in Melbourne handed Jarno Trulli a 25-second penalty for passing the Briton behind the safety car.Hamilton and Dave Ryan, since sacked as McLaren sporting director, insisted at the time no order was relayed from the team demanding he allow Trulli to pass. However, evidence in the form of pit-to-car transmissions and an interview Hamilton gave immediately after the race contradicted their story, and resulted in the case being re-opened.Deciding they had been "deliberately misled", the stewards at the Malaysian Grand Prix disqualified Hamilton and McLaren from the classification. Ryan was soon suspended, while Hamilton apologised for his actions in the FIA press conference room in Sepang where he also notably blamed Ryan.The FIA then charged McLaren with five counts of being in breach of article 151c of the International Sporting Code which relates to fraudulent conduct and acts prejudicial to the sport. As it was recognised by the FIA that Hamilton had been put in an "impossible position" by Ryan, it appeared at that stage McLaren would be hauled over the coals by the WMSC.However Ryan was sacked, meaning he could not answer to the World Council as they are unable to summon any person no longer in the employ of a particular team. Of considerable significance, Ron Dennis announced his decision to stand down as chairman of the McLaren Group as from 1 June, and as CEO of McLaren Racing with immediate effect.In taking up the running of the automotive side of the company, Dennis insisted his motive had nothing to do with F1. Many observers, though, felt his action was designed to appease the FIA – with whom he has often had a fractious relationship – and to save McLaren, a team he had built up since taking over in 1981.Since his exit, Whitmarsh – whose offer to resign was rejected by the shareholders – has since knocked down a few barriers that had previously existed between his team and the FIA. Celebrating his 51st birthday today, Whitmarsh has kept an open channel between himself and the governing body in a bid to repair the damage, and to deaden the impact of any penalty. That building of bridges appeared today to have played its part in what must be viewed as a lenient sentence.McLarenLewis HamiltonFormula oneMotor sportguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2009 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

Race Review - Ferrari

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Race Review - Force India

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Ferrari fight on after French court defeat

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Dennis steps down from McLaren

• Investigation into Australian grand prix forced hand• Lewis Hamilton will lose his mentorRon Dennis has stepped down as chairman of McLaren, the formula one team has confirmed. There had been continued speculation that the 61-year-old would be forced to resign his position after an investigation in the team's actions during the Australian grand prix. He did not travel to China for this weekend's race and is thought to be addressing staff at the team's Woking headquarters.Dennis has been involved in formula one for 43 years but, after what the company called "major restructuring", he has now passed on responsibility for the team to Martin Whitmarsh. "No one asked me to do it," he said. "It was my decision."The former chairman says he will now focus on the automotive side of the company, in which he owns a 15% stake, and hopes to launch a new McLaren sports car in 2011.Dennis gave up his role as team principal on 1 March, to be replaced by Whitmarsh again, and since then the team have faced difficulties after their 2009 car proved to be slower than most of those of their rivals. However it was the incident in the opening race of the season that is thought to have sparked Dennis' exit.Though Lewis Hamilton, Dennis' protégé, finished in fourth in Melbourne – before being promoted to third when Jarno Trulli was penalised by 25 seconds – he was eventually disqualified. Tapes of race conversations with the pit lane showed that the British driver had been instructed to allow Trulli past and further investigation concluded that McLaren had provided "evidence deliberately misleading to the stewards".The investigation into the affair is continuing after Hamilton claimed he was told not to tell the race stewards about the comments of his team director Dave Ryan, who has been sacked. There is a World Motor Sport Council hearing scheduled for 29 April, at which further sanctions are expected.Formula oneLewis HamiltonMcLarenMotor sportguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2009 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

A reshuffle at Ferrari

Team attempts to tackle its troubles By the Scuderia Ferrari's own admission, the Chinese Grand Prix must be a turning point in its difficult start to the 2009 season...