Ecclestone prays for end of 'nonsense' saga

McLaren face the FIA in Paris tomorrow to answer charges involving "fraudulent conduct", and there a growing belief the Woking-based team could be in danger of losing championship points or even being disqualified.

But Ecclestone has brushed aside such speculations and said he hopes the accusations prove to be irrelevant.

"I don't think anyone's going to make a decision on the world championship without really looking into everything," Ecclestone told the Times newspaper.

"Please God, [I hope] nothing's gone wrong and it will all be a lot of nonsense. It would be better it didn't happen in the first place, and it would be obviously beneficial if it was cleared up and everybody was sort of happy.

"There's been so much talked about this spying nonsense, it's even taking away from what's going on on the track," he added. "I don't like it."

The Briton also ruled out suggestions that the World Motor Sport Council would feel compelled to penalise McLaren if only to appear to be taking action in such a public controversy.

"No," Ecclestone responded. "They only need to be doing something if something's happened that shouldn't have happened - it's just that simple."