FIA not ruling out driver punishment

McLaren's chief designer Mike Coughlan is currently being investigated after documents belonging to Ferrari were found in his possession. He has been suspended by the team.

And although Honda Racing's revelation yesterday that team boss Nick Fry met with Stepney and Coughlan to talk about possible jobs appears to vindicate McLaren's claims that they are an innocent party, the FIA has made it clear that it will take whatever action it feels is necessary if it finds them to have done something wrong.

An FIA spokesman told autosport.com that the investigation into McLaren was ongoing, and said that punishments could include action being taken against both the team and drivers.

"We cannot rule out action being taken in both (the drivers' and constructors') championships," said the spokesman. "We don't know when exactly the investigation will be finished, but it will certainly be within the next few weeks."

The FIA's stance on potential punishments comes despite Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone saying earlier in the week that Hamilton and Alonso would not face sanctions even if McLaren were found to have done something wrong.

Ecclestone told The Times: "If it (the information) was used, did it affect in any way the performance of the car and, if so, where? In that case they (the FIA) could take away constructors' points from the team.

"But there is no way it would affect the driver. It is nothing to do with the driver. He's got the car, he gets into the car, and he has no idea."

McLaren boss Ron Dennis has said several times over the British Grand Prix weekend that he is confident the FIA will clear his team of any wrongdoing.

"I am absolutely confident that with the passing of time, and it is a little difficult to put any timing on it, you will see and the world will understand that McLaren's position is one that is reflective of our statements," he said.

"We have never to my knowledge, and certainly over the past few months over this period, ever used other people's intellectual property. It is not on our car. I am sure the FIA will confirm that either now or in the future, and that is the key message.

"We are both ourselves, the FIA and Ferrari, going through a very careful process. And I have a complete confidence in the outcome."