F1 'spying' hearing begins today

McLaren boss Ron Dennis arrived in a sombre mood ahead of a make-or-break hearing that could have a crucial bearing on his team's season.

Dennis and McLaren are answering a charge of 'fraudulent conduct,' specifically the team 'had unauthorised possession of documents and confidential information belonging to Ferrari.'

The verdict lies in the hands of 25 members of the World Motor Sports Council, the FIA's highest power, who have been summoned to an extraordinary meeting at the governing body's headquarters overlooking the Place de la Concorde.

Around 100 photographers, camera people and journalists were in attendance early today when Dennis appeared with two lawyers at his side, and before a comical scene unfolded.

The 60-year-old was immediately surrounded and jostled by the phalanx of photographers eager for that all-important first shot.

At the same time Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone arrived virtually unnoticed, followed by FIA president Max Mosley.

Ecclestone even had time to pause at one stage to see what all the fuss was about before stepping into a building that was originally a palace and home to the Count de Crillon.

Minutes later Ferrari team principal Jean Todt pulled up outside in a limousine, and like Dennis, was also mobbed by the media.

Todt would normally sit on the WMSC, but on this occasion will be on the other side of the table providing his own team's submission into a scandal that has dominated the sport these past few weeks.

Following a search of his home by High Court-appointed officials, Mike Coughlan, McLaren's suspended chief designer, was caught in possession of a 780-page Ferrari technical dossier.

It is believed Coughlan received the documents from Nigel Stepney, sacked earlier this month by Ferrari from his role as the team's head of performance development.

Stepney, who is currently embroiled in a criminal investigation in Italy with regard to the alleged sabotage of Ferrari's Formula One cars ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix in May, has denied the claims.

McLaren have long maintained no-one knew of the documents prior to July 3, the day when Stepney was dismissed and Coughlan suspended.

They also deny none of the technical information has been used to help design this season's car, currently driven by Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso.

Dennis has always insisted his team will be cleared, especially as he has long preached about honesty and integrity.

Speaking at the British Grand Prix just over two weeks ago, a then emotional Dennis said: 'I can comfortably say this will not end in anything that causes McLaren any embarrassment.'

If found guilty, the WMSC have a wide-range of powers open to them that could see McLaren docked points, banned from races, or even thrown out of the competition altogether.