Ferrari papers 'found in rival's home'

Nigel Tozzi, representing the Italian Formula One team, named McLaren chief designer Mike Coughlan and his wife, Trudy, as the defendants in their action at the preliminary hearing at the High Court in London.

Ferrari had earlier won a court order in secret to search the Coughlans' home when the documents were found, together with computers which are to be examined by experts.

Mr Tozzi, asking for the costs of the legal action so far against the Coughlans, told Mr Justice Briggs: "Their conduct by taking these documents, knowing they were not entitled to them, keeping them and copying them - on any view they behaved disgracefully.

"Ferrari would have remained blissfully ignorant of it if not for the tip-off."

The barrister did not explain further on how the Ferrari team learned their design secrets had been taken but won an order for most of the costs.

The hearing was adjourned until Wednesday for Coughlan to provide sworn affidavits on how he came in possession of the Ferrari documents.

Coughlan has already been linked to Ferrari head of performance Nigel Stepney who has been dismissed by the Italian manufacturer.

Coughlan is currently suspended by McLaren.