An Italian newspaper on Friday published excerpts of what it claims is the 'new evidence' that could cast a pall over Formula One and, particularly, Ron Dennis' McLaren team.

Following the FIA's confirmation that one or more of the team's drivers could be in possession of key evidence, La Gazzetta dello Sport quoted sections of an email exchange between test driver Pedro de la Rosa and his Spanish countryman, world champion Fernando Alonso.

"Do you know that I've found out how Ferrari is able to get its tires to work to perfection?" de la Rosa was quoted as writing to Alonso earlier this year.

He added: "Nigel Stepney told Mike Coughlan."

"I don't believe it," Alonso reportedly replied.

If de la Rosa is proved to have known not only about Coughlan's possession of the 780-page Ferrari dossier but also its contents, the ramifications could be grave for leading management of the Mercedes-powered team, another Italian newspaper claimed on Friday.

McLaren already faces the prospect of a two-season disqualification at next Thursday's extraordinary hearing of the World Motor Sport Council, and the newspaper La Repubblica said team boss Ron Dennis and seven others - including Coughlan and Nigel Stepney - could also be charged criminally and even jailed.

The Rome based daily said prosecutors in Modena believe 'senior figures within McLaren' have known about, used and withheld their knowledge about the Ferrari secrets since March.

McLaren stated today that they are unable to comment on the case.

Source GMM
CAPSIS International

Alonso defends his "moral obligation" to conform to FIA demand

"I only see one option," Alonso told Spain's AS sports newspaper, "and that is to support this investigation and give them what they ask for. When the highest authority in a sport asks you to co-operate, there's nothing you can object to. You've no choice."

"I can't race thinking that I didn't act correctly," he added. "There are moral reasons that tie me to my sport. I can't hide information that could be revealed by others and run the risk that the FIA accuses me of hiding information, and sanctioning me."

"The only thing I have done is meet a moral obligation and respond to what the FIA asked of me," he said. "I won't start judging what I've sent them. They should decide this."

Source PITPASS

Alonso was quote saying he brought 0.5~1sec to the team. I think he wont be saying that again..
The credit should goes to Nigel Stepney & Mike Coughlan..