14/05/2008
NEWS STORY
Radovan Novak, the general secretary of the Czech Automobile Association, who last month suggested that McLaren might have been responsible for the News of the World expose which has left Max Mosley struggling to retain his position as President of the FIA, has issued a formal apology to the Woking team.
Ever since the scandal first broke there has been speculation as to whether the News of the World had really discovered Mr Mosley's predilection for sado-masochistic sex, or whether the tabloid was tipped off.
Though few were willing to go public, Novak had no such compunction, saying in a radio interview that McLaren may well have tipped off the Murdoch-owned tabloid in retaliation for the embarrassment suffered at the hands of the FIA for its role in the spy saga.
A statement issued on the McLaren website this afternoon reads:
"McLaren is pleased to be able to confirm that it has been contacted by Mr Radovan Novak to explain the background that led to certain remarks related to McLaren and Mr Ron Dennis being made in an interview that he gave to Radio Impuls in the Czech Republic.
Mr Novak has asked us to make it clear that he does not believe that either McLaren or Mr Dennis were involved in the events referred to and that the remarks are not representative of his views.
Mr Novak has apologised for the misunderstanding and McLaren and Mr Dennis have thanked him for this gracious and swift reaction."
Meanwhile, the murmuring as to who did tip off the News of the World continues, with all manner of names being suggested.