McLaren is being accused of spying on Ferrari and using Ferrari data to get the advantage over the Italian team.

Earlier this year, just four days after the European Grand Prix, McLaren was summoned to face the FIA - the ruling body of the sport. One strange twist to this saga is the suggestion that McLaren's team principal, Ron Dennis, retire and the whole scandal will disappear. Although Dennis and the team are facing trying times, the Italian Grand Prix became a much needed boost for them. The MP4-22 that the two McLaren drivers used employs an engine provided by German automaker Mercedes.

After the race, Dennis was in tears. "I am pretty emotional, but I am more emotional about the support the team showed me, and that's what we are - a team," said Dennis in the post-race interview.

Dennis, though, will now stand alone on Thursday in defence of his team as what he described as "a very trying weekend" turns to what will be another traumatic day in Paris.

"Clearly, there's now a need to turn our attention to other issues that confront the team, to give a full and detailed explanation as to all the circumstances we've found ourselves involved in over the past few months."

He said that the support of the team members as well as their partners Vodafone and Mercedes-Benz has been great for the whole organization. "We've tried to maintain our motivation and dignity in challenging circumstances," concluded Dennis.