Saturday October 23rd, 1999

The McLaren Mercedes team released the following statement:

The West McLaren Mercedes team was invited to attend the International Court of Appeal hearing in Paris. In accepting the invitation, it was our understanding that there was an oral and written acceptance that there had been a breach of the Technical Regulations. In a case of a breach of the Technical Regulations during a race the penalty that has been consistently applied is the one that was given in Malaysia, namely that of exclusion. In the circumstances we felt that the decision of the Stewards was correct and consistent with the previous practices of Formula One. Our purpose in attending was to point out these and other matters, and to seek a consistent application of the rules as established in the past in similar circumstances.

We were very surprised to learn the day before the hearing that Ferrari had decided to argue that they had, contrary to their previous admissions, not infringed the Technical Regulations at all. This argument was based on a submission that the FIA technical equipment and procedures were inadequate and an interpretation of the Technical Regulations in conflict with the previous accepted understanding within Formula One, including that of the FIA Race Director and FIA F1 Technical Delegate.

Against this background the West McLaren Mercedes team is surprised and disappointed that the FIA International Court of Appeal has upheld the appeal. The West McLaren Mercedes team accepts the decision of the FIA International Court of Appeal and will now travel to the Japanese Grand Prix determined to win the Drivers? and Constructors? Championships.

Ron Dennis, Managing Director, TAG McLaren Group: "I believe, along with probably every technical director in Formula One, that the manufacturing tolerance referred to under article 3:12:6 of the Technical Regulations has no bearing on any other aspect of the car other than the vertical flatness of the horizontal surfaces that form the underside of the vehicle."

Martin Whitmarsh, Managing Director, McLaren International: "This interpretation of the rules would appear to change the way in which cars will be checked to ensure compliance with the technical regulations."

Mika Hakkinen: "The events of the last week are now behind us and I am, as always, focusing on the next race. I am looking forward to the Japanese Grand Prix and I will do my best to win the race and the World Championship."