Having been constantly accused of being biased in favour of Ferrari, the FIA is already on the receiving end of some questionable accusations following the revelation that the contract for the standard ECU, to be introduced in 2008, has gone to McLaren Electronic Systems (MES), a company owned by the McLaren Group of Companies.

Already, cynics are claiming - courtesy of the usual message boards and forums - that the contract has been awarded as a 'sweetener' to Ron Dennis, in an attempt to get the engine freeze and various other outstanding issues 'sorted'.

The fact is that the tendering process is strictly monitored, with the European Commission keeping a close watch. Therefore, whatever the cynics might say, the whole process is "above board".

According to the McLaren website: McLaren Electronic Systems develops and manufactures automotive control systems and components for many different motor sport series, including Formula One, World Rally, MotoGP, Nascar and Le Mans.

Its wide range of products and components is utilised by nearly 100 customers world-wide, including sales to all of the cars on the Formula One grid.

The company provides the complete automotive control system used by the Team McLaren Mercedes team to deliver the optimum performance available from the engine and chassis. The company also provides the Team with the most advanced data acquisition and telemetry system currently used in Formula One.

McLaren Electronic Systems has a team of 100 highly qualified engineers and skilled technicians.