FIA clears McLaren in Monaco investigation

The McLaren-Mercedes team did nothing against the sporting regulations at the Monaco Grand Prix, the sport's governing body said on Wednesday

Pablo Elizalde May 30, 2007, 1:30 PM

The FIA launched an investigation on McLaren's tactics at Monte Carlo following a one-two finish on Sunday, and after Lewis Hamilton revealed he had been asked to ease off in order to avoid risks in the race.

Team orders were banned following the 2002 Austrian Grand Prix, where Ferrari ordered Brazilian Rubens Barrichello to let Michael Schumacher win.

Article 151 of the FIA's international sporting code declares that "any fraudulent conduct or any act prejudicial to the interests of any competition or to the interests of motor sport generally" is a breach of the rules.

The governing body said on Wednesday, however, that the team had done nothing wrong.

"Having studied the radio traffic between Vodafone McLaren Mercedes (McLaren) and its drivers, together with the FIA observer's report and data from the team, it is clear that McLaren's actions during the 2007 Monaco Grand Prix were entirely legitimate and no further action is necessary," the FIA said in a statement.