Stepney threatens to reveal Ferrari secrets
Sunday, 08 Jul 2007 10:59
Stepney denies the allegations made by Ferrari
Ferrari's former head of performance development Nigel Stepney says he has been made the scapegoat for the team's shortcomings this season.
Stepney has been sacked by the Italian outfit after being accused of sharing technical information with McLaren head designer Mike Coughlan.
The former Ferrari engineer has now threatened to reveal the team's secrets from the past 14 years as he fights to clear his name.
He told the Sunday Times: "I've been framed.
"I've been with Ferrari for 14 years and there has been a lot of controversy over the years and I obviously know where the bodies are buried."
Stepney is also being investigated by Italian police over allegations he sabotaged the cars of Filipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen before the Monaco grand prix.
The Briton claims he and his family have been followed by men who will not reveal who they are and that he has now fled his home in Italy.
He denies the allegations Ferrari have made against him and insists he only met with Coughlan, who has been suspended by McLaren, because they are old friends.
Stepney claims he did not pass documents on to Coughlan at this meeting, he said: "I have no idea how he got them, no idea at all."
Yesterday Stepney's lawyer, Sonia Bartolini, confirmed he was suing Ferrari for unfair dismissal.
She said: "We are going to fight this and it is to be expected that we will challenge Ferrari's actions in dismissing Nigel."
Ferrari are yet to respond to Ms Bartolini's comments.