FIA member apologises to McLaren for Mosley remarks

By Alan Baldwin

LONDON (Reuters) - A Czech ally of Max Mosley has apologised to McLaren for suggesting that the team might have helped expose the sex scandal that threatens the Briton's position at the helm of Formula One's governing body.

McLaren said in a statement on their Web site (www.mclaren.com) on Wednesday that Radovan Novak, general secretary of the Czech Automobile Association, had contacted them "to explain the background" to comments he made in a radio interview last month.

"Mr Novak has asked us to make it clear that he does not believe that either McLaren or (team boss Ron) Dennis were involved in the events referred to and that the remarks are not representative of his views," the team said.

"Mr Novak has apologised for the misunderstanding and McLaren and Mr Dennis have thanked him for this gracious and swift reaction."

Mercedes-powered McLaren were fined a record $100 million and stripped of all their constructors points last season for their part in a spying controversy involving Ferrari technical information.

Novak appeared to suggest in an interview with Radio Impuls in the Czech Republic that the revelations in British Sunday tabloid The News of the World might be linked to that earlier controversy.

Dennis and McLaren have categorically denied any involvement.

The News of the World published details and photographs last month of Mosley's participation in what it said was a Nazi-style sado-masochistic orgy with five prostitutes.