McLaren have finally dismissed chief designer Mike Coughlan, the man at the centre of the spy controversy that cost them $100 million and last year’s Formula One title.
The team confirmed at the Australian Grand Prix on Friday that the Briton, who triggered the scandal when a 780-page dossier of Ferrari technical information was found at his home, was no longer an employee. The controversy broke last July, when Coughlan was suspended by McLaren.
However, he had remained on the staff of the Mercedes-powered team due to legal reasons. Ferrari sacked Nigel Stepney, the British engineer who was accused of passing the vital information to Coughlan, in July.
Both men face continuing legal action in Italy.
