McLaren risked 2 years F1 championship ban after ‘Spy Gate’: Ecclestone

McLaren F1 has been on the path of resurgence for a number of years. They look really good looking to return to their glory days sooner rather than later. Had former FIA President Max Mosley prevailed in 2007, the historic Woking team might have had to cease its F1 operations forever.

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F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone told of an incident in 2007 in which he had to prevent Mosley from toppling McLaren from the championship for two years.

As expected, the background to this incident was rather grim. The Woking-based team had received Ferrari’s plans at a time when the red team was at the peak of their ability. The incident was known as “Spygate”.

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JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, SPAIN – JANUARY 16 Lewis Hamilton of McLaren Mercedes in action. Circuito de Jerez on January 16, 2008 in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. (Photo by Clive Mason / Getty Images)

McLaren ended up paying a massive $ 100 million fine and was also prevented from scoring points in this year’s championship. It could have been far worse, however, had Ecclestone not intervened.

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How did the F1 supremo save McLaren in 2007?

Speaking to RacingNews365, Bernie said, “When this happened to McLaren, he wanted them out of the championship for two years. “I said to him, ‘You can’t do that because [if] If you kick them out, they’re gone forever. You will never come back. ‘

“They cannot close and suddenly open again. So I said you know we’re going to fine them no matter how much money they make in the next two years. So I calculated that. And I said to Max, “$ 100 million fine,” which he did.

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JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, SPAIN – JANUARY 16, Lewis Hamilton of McLaren Mercedes in action during a test. Circuito de Jerez on January 16, 2008 in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. (Photo by Clive Mason / Getty Images)

“I said to Max, ‘You can’t throw them out of the championship, stupid to do that. ‘Damn good team, well organized, well managed, there’s nothing wrong with Ron [Dennis – McLaren team principal]. ”

This is how Ecclestone managed to keep McLaren alive in the F1 world. You would have a very impressive campaign this year, with Lewis Hamilton finishing in second place ahead of teammate Fernando Alonso in third. McLaren would have ended up behind Ferrari in the constructors’ list, but their 166-point record was in vain.

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Many lessons have been learned this season, and this dark chapter in its history is long closed. Under the ownership of Zak Brown, McLaren will soon aim to break its title drought.