Spygate raids leave McLaren's Dennis on the brink

In a destabilising blow to Lewis Hamilton's preparations a mere 18 days before the start of the season, McLaren chairman Dennis was one of several leading team personnel targeted.

Dennis: Endured a torrid time

The raids were carried out at the behest of the Italian courts, who are conducting a criminal investigation into the Spygate row which resulted in McLaren being fined £50million by the FIA last year. The team's Woking factory was also searched.

After crisis talks spanning seven hours, McLaren tried to play down the significance of the day's dramatic events.

They said: 'McLaren Racing have today continued their co-operation with enquiries instigated by the Modena magistrate.

'Surrey Police accompanied Italian investigators to the homes of a number of McLaren executives as part of their ongoing investigation. The police are completely satisfied with the co-operation they have received.

'These actions are part of a normal judicial process and are supported by McLaren.'

However, the raids come at a politically sensitive time for Dennis, who is facing increased pressure from the company's largest shareholder, Mercedes, to move aside after his woeful handling of the Spygate furore.

Last night, McLaren could not even confirm that Dennis would still be team principal at the opening race in Melbourne on March 16. Dennis's No 2 Martin Whitmarsh, whose home is also thought to have been raided, is tipped to take over, with Dennis agreeing to take a face-saving nominal role.

It remains to be seen whether the McLaren officials will be recalled before the Modena magistrate Giuseppe Tibbis. He requested their presence at a hearing on February 18 but they failed to attend for 'legal reasons'.

Sir Jackie Stewart, the triple world champion, believes Hamilton's bid could be compromised. He said: 'It doesn't help that McLaren have suffered so much disruption.

'They will insist it is business as usual but they are having to deal with all kinds of external issues, including the racist abuse Lewis faced in Barcelona.

'No matter how professional you aim to be, these matters all deflect a team from their prime concern, which is putting together the best car.'

Hamilton, fastest on the previous two days, concluded pre-season testing in Barcelona in 10th place yesterday, although the sight of Toyota's Jarno Trulli heading the time-sheets indicates that it was hardly reflective of his true speed.

To antagonise McLaren further, another ghost of last season resurfaced yesterday, with Fernando Alonso blaming Hamilton for the racial taunts he suffered earlier this month.

The former world champion, who walked out of McLaren to rejoin Renault, said: 'Lewis said I showed him "just how not to behave as a world champion. 'The next week they whistled him in Spain for saying that. If you talk like that, it's no wonder they jeer you.'