Ferrari to appeal spygate decision
"What has been published in Ilta-Sanomat does not match the thoughts I wanted to express," the Finn said in a clarification provided by Ferrari.
"I would therefore like to make it clear that I was only referring to Formula One in the late nineties, when radio technology was still at an almost amateurish level, which meant it could happen that some radio conversations could be listened to randomly because of interference."
Salo was quoted on Friday, after a hearing of the sport's governing body into a spy controversy that has gripped Formula One, as saying that when he drove for Ferrari "we always spied on McLaren, listening to their radio traffic.
"After every practice session I had in front of me, on paper, all the discussions Mika Hakkinen had had with his engineer."
07/27/07 Ferrari are considering an appeal against the decision to clear McLaren in Formula One's spying row.
"We are reflecting on what to do after the incomprehensible and grave decision made in Paris," Ferrari boss Jean Todt told Italian news agency ANSA.
The FIA ruled on Thursday that the title race was unaffected by McLaren's possession of secret Ferrari documents.
"It's difficult to understand that one who is deemed to be guilty goes unpunished," said Todt.
The row erupted after a 780-page technical dossier was found at the home of McLaren chief designer Mike Coughlan, who has since been suspended by the team.
McLaren, who insisted that they did not use or benefit from the information in Coughlan's possession, still face a championship ban if in the future they are seen to have gained any advantage from the data.
Todt's comments were echoed by Ferrari president Luca Montezemolo.
"I want to say to the fans from all over the world who have been contacting Ferrari, offended by the decision taken in Paris yesterday, that they should remain calm because this story will not end here," he said. BBC
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If someone is guilty they must have a punishment, instead here there is nothing," Ferrari boss Jean Todt was quoted as saying in Gazzetta dello Sport. "It is a decision strongly prejudicial for the credibility of this sport."
"Nothing has changed. It is right that the world championship is won on the track. I remain calm," said Stepney, who along with Coughlan could face an FIA ban.
"I was the only one that tried to explain that McLaren was guilty. For me they are guilty and that's that. Juve were sent to Serie B for a lot less," Italian Luigi Macaluso, a member of the 25-man FIA world motor sport council said in reference to Italian soccer's match-fixing scandal last year.
"I do not understand why there has been no decision. This is a sentence that reminds me of Pontius Pilate," Flavio Briatore said.
"If one individual is operating independently outside his own remit, then it is right that such clandestine behavior should be punished on an individual basis," Jackie Stewart told the Guardian.
"As far as the FIA threat is concerned, I'm not worried. We're cleaner than clean," Mercedes motorsport head Norbert Haug told German media.
"When I was driving for Ferrari we always spied on McLaren, listening to their radio traffic. After every practice session I had in front of me, on paper, all the discussions Mika Hakkinen had had with his engineer," former Ferrari driver Mika Salo told Finnish newspaper Ilta-Sanomat.