Dennis worried title could be tainted

The appeal hearing on the Thursday before the Belgian Grand Prix is due to hear detailed evidence from Ferrari about their view on the spying controversy that erupted following McLaren chief designer Mike Coughlan being found with secret Ferrari documents.

And although McLaren have already escaped punishment at an FIA World Motor Sport Council meeting last month, Dennis believes that the satisfaction of his entire season now rests on the appeal judges backing that original verdict.

"We are in F1 to win. But the most important thing is not just winning, it is how we win," he said. "I do not know what twists and turns are going to take place in the Court of Appeal.

"If we do not come out of that Court of Appeal with an unblemished reputation then the results of this season will be tainted.

"I know the truth and the truth is that McLaren as a company are not involved in this matter. And I just do not want to find through some process that our reputation is damaged. The rumours and spin that I have heard about this matter just leave me amazed.

"I cannot believe that people can construct some inaccurate views based on no fact whatsoever and be quite comfortable to project them into the pack as being true. It is ridiculous."

Ferrari team principal Jean Todt said on Sunday night that he would ensure the truth from his outfit's perspective will come out in his team's presentation at the meeting.

"(It) will be very important this hearing of the 13th (September). We want the truth to appear. And it will appear. That is something for me, which for Ferrari, for the sport, for me, I want it to appear. And it will appear."