By Xinhua
Paris : Formula One leader McLaren has been kicked out of the 2007 constructors’ title race and fined $100 million in the spying controversy involving Ferrari.
However, the sport’s governing body FIA ruled that drivers’ championship leader Lewis Hamilton and team-mate Fernando Alonso could keep their points.
“The World Motor Sports Council (WMSC) has stripped Vodafone McLaren Mercedes of all constructors points in the 2007 FIA Formula One world championship and the team can score no points for the remainder of the season,” the FIA said.
“Furthermore the team will pay a fine equal to $100 million, less the FOM income lost as a result of the points deduction,” it added.
McLaren, one-two winners of last weekend’s Italian Grand Prix at Monza, were accused of having benefited from a dossier of Ferrari data found in the possession of now-suspended chief designer Mike Coughlan.
The decision effectively ensures Ferrari the constructors’ championship but keeps the drivers’ battle alive.
McLaren were 23 points ahead of Ferrari, who are in turn 57 clear of BMW Sauber.
Hamilton, the 22-year-old rookie sensation of the season, leads double world champion Alonso by three points with four races remaining.