In a statement released this afternoon, Honda has admitted that it was approached earlier this year by the two men at the centre of a major Formula One espionage investigation, Nigel Stepney of Ferrari and McLaren's Mike Coughlan.

A brief statement issued by the Brackley outfit this afternoon read:

A statement issued by the Brackley outfit this afternoon read:

"Given the speculation surrounding the legal investigations at Ferrari and McLaren, the Honda Racing F1 Team would like to clarify that earlier this year Nigel Stepney, formerly of Scuderia Ferrari, requested a meeting with Nick Fry, Chief Executive Officer of the Honda Racing F1 Team. Nigel Stepney subsequently met in June of this year with Nick Fry and brought with him Mike Coughlan of McLaren, with a view to investigating job opportunities within the Honda Racing F1 Team.

Honda would like to stress that at no point during this meeting was any confidential information offered or received. Nick Fry informed Jean Todt and Ron Dennis of the meeting and has offered to provide any information required by Ferrari and McLaren."

In recent weeks Stepney has been linked with Honda, which had previously admitted to being keen on securing the services of Ferrari's former technical director, Ross Brawn."

Once again, a statement that poses more questions than it answers.

In recent weeks Stepney has been linked with Honda, which had previously admitted to being keen on securing the services of Ferrari's former technical director, Ross Brawn.

Once again, a brief statement that poses more questions than it answers.