Dennis Looks for Anti-Spying Solutions

McLaren team chief Ron Dennis is looking for a quick solution to the alleged 'spying' that is sweeping the pitlanes of Grands Prix this season.

Dennis, like all team bosses, is concerned that secret and unique designs on his cars are being photographed in the pitlane and the pictures are then supplied to rival teams.

In a sport where secrecy and confidentiality are paramount, Dennis has suggested that screens could be erected around cars in the future, although he knows that will upset fans and sponsors, who love to look at the cars in the garages.

"It has been subject of dialogue between teams over last couple of Grands Prix," revealed Dennis. "It is hard to explain how expensive it is to find small advantages, and how we are paranoid about trying to keep them.

"Things that are difficult to conceal - deflectors, things like that, and they are very quickly photographed and distributed. I don't think there's a competitive team that doesn't do it. At end of day got to slow that process down.

"We are mindful that fans and sponsors like to look at the cars and we are sensitive to it. We'd like a solution."

Dennis admits that he and his team have been offered photographs of rival teams' cars but he said that he did not take them. He accepts that photos will always be taken, and although he does not like to call it spying, he said that it needs to be curbed to make the sport as fair as possible.

"Photos have been offered, but we have no need. We take photographs more than adequate for our files ourselves, as does every other GP team," Dennis said. "It may conjure up word spying or industrial espionage. That is climbing into someone's truck or factory or soliciting info from member of company. Taking photos is understandable behaviour but it needs to be addressed."