Stewart lets fly at FIA over Dennis probe

Published on Tuesday 11 September 2007 12:42

SIR JACKIE STEWART has accused motor sport's world governing body, the FIA, of conducting a witch-hunt against embattled McLaren boss Ron Dennis.

The reputation and integrity of Dennis and McLaren will again come under intense scrutiny on Thursday when they face a second hearing in front of the World Motor Sport Council in Paris.

Former three-times world champion Stewart feels the way the FIA, in conjunction with Ferrari, has pursued this case does not look good for Formula One.

Looking into the affair that has overshadowed the thrilling title race this season, Stewart explained: "The FIA have historically been very close to Ferrari, closer to them than anyone else.

"For whatever reason, and I'm not saying that there hasn't been wrongdoing, but the very fact that this information came out of Ferrari means their own security and integrity level has to be judged. Now the fact it was stolen of course is wrong. But to start witch-hunting and trying to implicate a team principal to a level that is currently going on, I think is negative to the sport."