McLaren escape FIA sanctions

Ron Dennis and McLaren have escaped sanction for their tactics at the Monaco Grand Prix following an FIA investigation.

Ron Dennis and McLaren have escaped sanction for their tactics at the Monaco Grand Prix following an FIA investigation.

Motor sport's governing body were prompted to look into last weekend's race when the grand prix was won by Fernando Alonso with McLaren team-mate Lewis Hamilton in a comfortable second, almost a minute ahead of Ferrari's Felipe Massa.

However, the FIA are satisfied the conduct of both drivers and the team did not breach the rule against the use of team orders to interfere with the results of the race.

McLaren owner Dennis had insisted he had "a clear conscience" about the win, claiming that the one-two was team strategy, rather than team orders.

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The latter are banned by the FIA after Rubens Barrichello was told to let Michael Schumacher win the Austrian Grand Prix of 2002.

Lewis admitted afterwards he was told to "ease off" in his pursuit of the Spaniard with McLaren insisting it was simply part of their strategy.

However, an FIA statement published on it's website said today: "It is clear that McLaren's actions during the 2007 Monaco Grand Prix were entirely legitimate and no further action is necessary."

Hamilton is now level on 38 points with Alonso, albeit the reigning world champion has the advantage by virtue of his two race wins this year.

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone had warned that McLaren would face a ban or points deduction if they were found guilty.

"I don't know what the 'team orders' are or were," he told the

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. "One thing is for sure - if there were team orders which relate to the position of the two drivers - if somebody is told to move over or hold their position - it is against all the sporting regulations we have.

"If there were orders, they would be getting off lightly if they get the same sort of fine as Ferrari. They could be excluded from the championship or they could have points deducted. A fine for McLaren, with its money, would not have the same effect as docking points."

Ecclestone ruled out a direct punishment for Hamilton or Alonso, claiming they would not have had a say in the 'manufactured' result.