Lewis Hamilton called to ‘spy’ hearing

Lewis Hamilton is to be called as a shock witness in McLaren's defense at today's 'spygate' hearing before the World Motorsport Council in Paris. Such is the degree of concern about the outcome, McLaren have produced their trump card on a day that potentially could have catastrophic consequences for Hamilton, his team and Formula One.

The sport's highest authority has been assembled for the second time in six weeks to hear new evidence in the dispute between Ferrari and McLaren. In July the council found McLaren to be in breach of article 151c of the International Sporting Code as a consequence of chief designer Mike Coughlan's allegedly unauthorized possession of a 780-page dossier of confidential information about Ferrari.

As there was insufficient evidence to prove that the contents had been made available to and used for the benefit of the team, the council levied no sanction. The new evidence is believed to centre on emails allegedly transmitted between McLaren drivers Fernando Alonso and Pedro de la Rosa and additional information sourced in Italy.

Timeline

June 21: Ferrari announce the launch of a criminal investigation against their head of performance development Nigel Stepney.

July 3: Stepney is dismissed by Ferrari, who later allege a link between Stepney and McLaren chief designer Mike Coughlan, over the "theft of technical information".

July 4: FIA launch their own investigation into the matter.

July 10: Coughlan, in the High Court in London, is accused by a lawyer representing Ferrari of "behaving disgracefully" with regard to the copying of 780 pages of technical information.

July 12: FIA summon McLaren to answer a charge of unauthorized possession of documents belonging to Ferrari.

July 20: McLaren submit a full account of their role in the saga to the FIA.

July 26: McLaren escape punishment after the FIA decide there is insufficient evidence.

July 31: FIA president Max Mosley refers the case to the Court of Appeal.

Sept 5: FIA announce because of "new evidence", the World Motor Sport Council will meet in Paris on Sept 13, with the Court of Appeal hearing withdrawn.

Sept 7: It is reported the fresh evidence centers around an email exchange between Fernando Alonso and Pedro de la Rosa. More at Daily Telegraph