Ecclestone: McLaren Should Receive Fair Verdict

Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone expressed his hope that the World Motor Sport Council will hand McLaren Mercedes a well-deserved penalty for their actions following the Australian Grand Prix. The 78-year old Englishman doesn't share the common belief that the FIA will be too harsh to the Woking based team and expects the British outfit to receive a fair verdict by the international body.

Considering that premise, Ecclestone advised McLaren to accept any decision issued by the FIA on the lie-gate, without making any further threats to leave the sport should they be handed a too harsh of a penalty.

“I am absolutely positive that Mercedes would like to look upon this as fair for everybody and, if there is any punishment to be meted out, it will be fair and I am sure they would support that. I don't think they would decide to leave Formula One because somebody had done something wrong and been punished. I think they will be very fair,” said Ecclestone in an interview for the London's Times.

McLaren is to appear before the WMSC in Paris on Wednesday, in order to explain their actions in the Aussie GP post-race investigation. McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh already announced it will only be him to appear before the council on April 29th, joined by some of the team's lawyers. He also made it very clear his team will plead guilty to all charges in order to get an easier penalty from the FIA.

“We have chosen not to contest the charges and that makes the process simpler,” admitted Whitmarsh yesterday.

Race ban or point reduction are two of the potential – and most probable – penalties McLaren could be handed following the “lie-gate”.