Unsurprisingly, since it was revealed that Ferrari has instituted legal proceedings against Nigel Stepney, the F1 world has been buzzing, to put it mildly.

Similarly unsurprisingly, but extremely sad nonetheless, is that internet message board and forums have seen much discussion of the subject, much of it libellous, as many appear to forget that in civilized society one is innocent until proven guilty.

As the armchair experts debate what exactly Stepney is supposed to have done, not to mention how, why and for whom, the Englishman has hit out, claiming that he is the victim of a smear campaign.

While it has been claimed that Stepney has gone missing, thereby suggesting that he has fled the scene of the crime, the Englishman says that he is on holiday, and reveals that he booked the trip through Ferrari's own travel office.

"I'm on a planned holiday with Ash (his partner)and our baby," he told The Times. "Why would anyone say I am not contactable? I booked the flights through the Ferrari travel office. They know where I am."

Referring to the charges and the speculation the has followed, Stepney, who joined Ferrari in 1993, said: "I have confidence I'll be cleared by the legal process that is now taking place,"

"It is just part of a dirty tricks campaign and everything is in the hands of my lawyer," he added, "so we'll wait and see what happens."

Meanwhile, Stepney's lawyer, Sonia Bartolini, who replaces the publicly appointed lawyer, Luca Brezigar, has said the Englishman will fully cooperate with the authorities and id determined to clear his name. She claims that Stepney wasn't formally notified of the proceedings, and only learned of the charge when he read about it on the internet.

"Nigel has nothing to hide nor fear," she told Gazzetta dello Sport, "indeed, in the first days of July he will come back to Italy as scheduled and will answer to the Modena District Attorney's regarding the accusations made against him.

"We are also likely to hold a press conference because Mr Stepney wants to make his position clear," she added. "As a highly-regarded professional, he will not allow his image to be damaged by facts that do not concern him."

Although there has been talk of unrest within the Maranello outfit for some time, last week's news that the team was prosecuting Stepney caught the F1 paddock, and by the looks of it Stepney, entirely by surprise.

In a week in which it has been suggested that Kimi Raikkonen is to be dumped and head to Toyota, and Luca di Montezemolo claims that the current rules are ruining the sport, some claim that the Maranello is facing a period of crisis.

Whatever the truth, the legal action - which could take up to a year to come to court - and the speculation that comes with it, will do nobody any good, not Nigel Stepney, not Ferrari, not F1.