McLaren sends written apology to FIA

Ahead of next week's FIA World Motor Sport Council hearing where McLaren will have to answer disrepute charges that it lied to stewards, and procured driver Lewis Hamilton to do so too, Whitmarsh is understood to have offered an 'unreserved apology' for what happened.

Whitmarsh is quoted as saying by news agency Reuters: "We are cooperating with the FIA, I have written to (President) Max (Mosley) but obviously before the 29th I can't say anything about it.

"It's a letter to them. Certainly, there's been no leak about it from us and I can't comment on it."

McLaren has been pushing hard to ensure it has done all it can prior to the WMSC hearing to show it has responded to the events of the Australian and Malaysian Grands Prix.

As well as dismissing sporting director Dave Ryan, who misled the stewards, the team and Hamilton have apologised in public for the events that took place. Whitmarsh also offered his resignation to McLaren's shareholders after the Malaysian GP, but this was rejected.

Furthermore, former McLaren boss Ron Dennis has stepped away completely from the F1 team - in a move that has been motivated to show how the team is embracing a new culture.

Whitmarsh said at the Chinese Grand Prix that it was important his team started a new era of cooperation with the FIA - with Dennis and Mosley having not enjoyed the best of relationships in the past.

"Well, I think anyone who has looked at the relationship between McLaren and the FIA over the last few years would have to conclude that it would be healthier for all of us to have a more positive, constructive relationship than perhaps we have had in the past," he said.