As predicted, McLaren just gets their wrists slapped

(GMM) McLaren on Wednesday escaped penalty after the World Motor Sport Council probed the 'lie-gate' affair in a Paris hearing.

With only an observing lawyer in tow, the British team's boss Martin Whitmarsh apologized and admitted to all five breaches of the international sporting code.

The FIA said it took Whitmarsh's "open and honest" approach into account, as well as the apparent "change in culture" within the Woking based organization.

As a result, the "appropriate" penalty of a three-race ban was suspended.

"This (penalty) will only be applied if further facts emerge regarding the case or if, in the next 12 months, there is a further breach by the team of article 151c of the international sporting code," read a statement.