F1 2009

[Vitor Barreto]

Já rodaram cabeças.

McLaren's sporting director Ryan gets fired

The McLaren Formula 1 team has fired the team's former sporting director Dave Ryan. Ryan was part of the 'lie-gate' where he had instructed reigning F1 champion Lewis Hamilton to tell the race stewards the team did not tell him to let Trulli pass the Briton.

On Friday, in Malaysia, McLaren already confirmed it has suspended Dave Ryan who was part of the team for the past 35 years. McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh said at Sepang last week: "In my 20-odd years of working for McLaren, I doubt if I've met a more dedicated individual than Davey. He's been an integral part of McLaren since 1974 and has played a crucial role in the team's many world championship successes since that time."

In a statement issued by McLaren on Tuesday the team said: "This afternoon McLaren and its former sporting director, Dave Ryan, have formally parted company. As a result, he is no longer an employee of any of the constituent companies of the McLaren Group."