Quote:PARIS -- Formula One leader McLaren-Mercedes will answer charges Thursday that its designer acquired confidential data from rival Ferrari.

If found guilty, the team could have points deducted, be temporarily banned from races, or even be thrown out of the F1 championship.

The hearing at FIA's world motor sport council in Paris will examine how confidential data belonging to Ferrari ended up with suspended McLaren chief designer Mike Coughlan, and if other team officials were aware of the contents.

FIA asked that McLaren answer a charge that it broke the sport's code by acquiring documents and confidential information belonging to Ferrari, "including information that could be used to design, engineer, build, check, test, develop and/or run a 2007 Ferrari Formula One car."

McLaren has said that its cars do not contain any Ferrari-related alterations. It suspended an employee for receiving a package of technical information from the Italian team. British newspapers identified the employee as Coughlan.

McLaren's Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso lead the driver standings, with seven races left in the season. Hamilton has 70 points and Alonso 68 after 10 of 17 races. Ferrari drivers Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen are third and fourth respectively with 59 and 52.

McLaren also leads the constructor standings, with 138 points to 111 for Ferrari.

If it is found in the future that the Ferrari information has been used to the detriment of the championship, we reserve the right to invite Vodafone McLaren Mercedes back in front of the (FIA council) where it will face the possibility of exclusion from not only the 2007 championship, but also the 2008 championship.