F1 2009

[Carlos Costa]

McLaren suspend sporting director

Eurosport - Fri, 03 Apr 09:54:00 2009

McLaren sporting director Dave Ryan has been suspended in the wake of the row that erupted over Lewis Hamilton's third place in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

Ryan, a key member of F1's Sporting Working Group in addition to his role at McLaren, was implicated - along with Hamilton - by the Melbourne stewards after apparently not revealing full details of the pit-to-car conversation that led to the world champion slowing to let Jarno Trulli back into third place behind the safety car.

The Italian was initially disqualified for having gained a position while the race was neutralised, and McLaren's testimony to the stewards, in which both Hamilton and Ryan are alleged to have left out confirmation that the driver was told to slow and let the Toyota pass, was later seen as 'deliberately misleading', resulting in Hamilton's exclusion from the event - with possible further sanctions to follow.

Ryan appears to have been made the scapegoat for the incident and, despite the value his experience brings to McLaren, was conspicuous by his absence during Friday practice in Malaysia.

Team principal Martin Whitmarsh said: "In my 20-odd years working for McLaren, I doubt if I"ve met a more dedicated individual than Davey. He's been an integral part of McLaren since 1974 and has played a crucial role in the team"s many world championship successes since that time.

"However, his role in the events of last Sunday, particularly his dealings with the FIA stewards, has caused serious repercussions for the team, for which we apologise. Therefore, I suspended him this morning and he has accepted this."

Meanwhile, Hamilton's woeful week continued when the world champion was fined by the FIA for speeding in the pits during the first practice session.

Tthe Englishman once again incurred the wrath of the FIA for exceeding the pit lane speed limit by going at 65.3 km/h, earning a 1200 euro fine.