McLaren have been implicated in the famous espionage scandal with Ferrari 2 years ago, resulting in the team being docked all constructors’ points in 2007, added to the highest fine in the history of the sport, $100 million.
Ecclestone argued that the FIA might take racing ban into consideration, being the tumultuous past of the British team. McLaren have already been summoned to appear before FIA’s World Motor Sport Council on April 29th to explain their actions following the Hamilton-Trulli incident during the Aussie Grand Prix.
“It is never good for anyone if you are back in court quickly for something similar. There are many options open if the charge sticks and it would be a terrible thing if any team were banned from races. But it could happen,” said Ecclestone in an interview to British newspaper Express.
Although reigning champion Hamilton was instructed via the radio to let Trulli pass him under safety car, the British driver avoided telling that to the race stewards during the post-race investigation. He later said it was sporting director Dave Ryan who told him to elude the truth from the Australian officials.
As a result, Hamilton was docked all points from the Melbourne race, while Ryan parted ways with McLaren earlier this week. Nevertheless, FIA announced further actions against McLaren might be taken if the British team will be found guilty of breaking Article 151c of the International Sporting Code (referring to “any fraudulent conduct or any act prejudicial to the interests of any competition or to the interests of motor sport generally”).
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