In an unprecedented move, McLaren is understood to have written a grovelling letter of apology to the FIA, effectively calling on the sport's governing body not to be too harsh when punishing the team for 'lie-gate'.

It is understood that in the letter, McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh admits that his team breached Article 151c of the Formula One sporting regulations - effectively bringing the sport into disrepute - for the second time in two years. However, in throwing himself at the mercy of the FIA, Whitmarsh claims that there were mitigating circumstances.

With a history of bad blood between Max Mosley and Ron Dennis, it was hoped that the sacrificing of the McLaren veteran might go some way to appeasing the FIA boss. However, it is widely thought that having failed to learn from its previous lesson, when the team was fined $100m and excluded from the championship, the sport's governing body is seeking to make an example of the Woking outfit, while possibly settling a few old scores.

Speculation within the paddock as to what punishment McLaren might expect ranges from race bans to another fine to exclusion from the championship, however a very senior F1 source was at pains to tell Pitpass earlier this week that the team is in "serious trouble" having effectively committed its latest 'crime' while still on probation for the spy saga.

The World Motor sport council will hear the case on Thursday.