Formula 1 News

FIA statement: “Don’t professionally collaborate with Mr. Stepney” 

Formula One’s Governing body, the FIA, has issued an official statement on Friday, following a meeting with former Ferrari employee Nigel Stepney, advising to its licensees ‘to not professionally collaborate with Mr. Stepney‘ until July 2009, as the International Sporting Code can’t be used to ban the Briton from international motor sport given the fact he is ‘not a license-holder‘ of the Paris body.

Full FIA statement:

RECOMMENDATION RE: NIGEL STEPNEY
07.03.2008

“In its investigations of last year regarding the unauthorised use of intellectual property within Formula One, the FIA heard allegations that Mr. Nigel Stepney, then employed by Ferrari, had passed confidential Ferrari information to an employee of Vodafone McLaren Mercedes. Mr. Stepney has admitted this allegation and apologised to the FIA, though he disputes the seriousness and extent of his involvement.”

“As Mr. Stepney is not a licence-holder of the FIA, no formal action may be taken against him under the International Sporting Code (though the FIA is co-operating with the Italian police, who are investigating Mr. Stepney’s actions). As a matter of good order, the FIA recommends to its licensees that they do not professionally collaborate with Mr. Stepney without conducting appropriate due diligence regarding his suitability for involvement in international motor sport. This recommendation stands until 1 July 2009.”

source: FIA