Update
Evidence published as McLaren drivers excel
SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium, Sept 14, 2007 (AFP) - While the fallout from Thursday’s spygate’ hearing continues all around them, McLaren drivers Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton set the fastest times of the day in practice for the Belgian Grand Prix.
The drivers escaped punishment in Thursday’s spy hearing after handing all their relevant correspondence to the FIA investigators.
Hamilton had nothing to declare but Alonso delivered details of emails and text messages between him and McLaren test driver Pedro De La Rosa discussing leaked Ferrari technical information.
In light of the new evidence and further details given to them by the Italian Police, The FIA fined McLaren $100m and excluded them from the 2007 constructors’ championship.
Hamilton and Alonso though, are free to continue their drivers’ championship battle and both look to be in fine form on the Spa-Francorchamps circuit.
After Ferrari’s Finn Kimi Raikkonen dominated the morning session, Hamilton and Alonso stepped up their pace in afternoon practice on Friday, the Spaniard recording a lap of 1:46.654, the fastest of the day.
British rookie Hamilton, currently three points ahead of Alonso at the top of the drivers’ standings, was only a tenth of a second slower and the pair now look set for a head-to-head battle over the weekend.
Brazilian Ferrari driver Felipe Massa recovered from a disappointing morning to finish the day third quickest ahead of Raikkonen, while Toyota drivers Jarno Trulli and Ralf Schumacher will be pleased to have been fifth and sixth fastest respectively.