McLaren make apology for 'lying'

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McLaren have written to Formula 1's governing body, the FIA, to apologise for misleading race stewards after the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

McLaren were found guilty of misleading race stewards, with their driver Lewis Hamilton disqualified from the race.

The team are charged with five counts of bringing the sport into disrepute and face an FIA hearing on 29 April.

Penalties could include expulsion from the 2009 championship, suspension, a fine or points deduction.

"We are co-operating with the FIA. I have written to (FIA president) Max Mosley but before 29 April I can't say anything about it," said McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh ahead of Sunday's Bahrain Grand Prix.

"It's a letter to them. Certainly, there's been no leak about it from us and I can't comment on it."

Whitmarsh's letter offers Mosley, the FIA and race officials "an unreserved apology" for lying to stewards in Melbourne.Hamilton finished fourth behind Trulli's Toyota, whom McLaren accused of breaking F1 rules by overtaking while the field was under the control of the safety car.

Officials initially handed Trulli a 25-second penalty, promoting Hamilton to third after the world champion and McLaren's long-serving sporting director Dave Ryan gave evidence that the Englishman had not deliberately let the Toyota driver through, and had not been asked by the team to do so.

But McLaren's radio communication contradicted this and Hamilton was later disqualified with Trulli reinstated to third place.

Hamilton, who issued an emotional public apology after the incident, is expected to escape further censure but Ryan, who was with him at the hearings and has worked for McLaren for 35 years, has been sacked.