"No element of it has been used in relation to McLaren's Formula One cars."

Ferrari are also taking legal action in Italy against their former engineer Nigel Stepney, who has denied sending the information to Coughlan.

The two, former colleagues at Benetton and Ferrari, were linked last week when Honda said they had approached team boss Nick Fry about job opportunities.

The next race, at the Nuerburgring in Germany on July 22, is a home grand prix for McLaren's engine partners Mercedes.

The controversy has cast a cloud of uncertainty over one of the most enthralling championships of recent years, with Hamilton emerging as a rookie sensation in a four-man battle for the title.

One London bookmaker announced after the FIA move that it was temporarily suspending bets on the outcome of both championships.

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