Formula One championship leader Lewis Hamilton attended a hearing in Paris yesterday that could shatter his and McLaren's title hopes.

The 22-year-old Briton entered the headquarters of the International Automobile Federation (FIA) before the hearing started into allegations that McLaren used leaked Ferrari data.

Lewis Hamilton

"We work together as a team. I am relaxed and confident about today," the driver, wearing a suit and tie, told reporters assembled outside.

McLaren's Spanish test driver Pedro de La Rosa was also among the McLaren delegation but double world champion teammate and compatriot Fernando Alonso was at Spa-Francorchamps preparing for Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix.

"I am happy we have done all our preparatory work and I am confident the truth will (come) out," said team boss Ron Dennis. A verdict was expected after 1300 GMT.

Former technical director Ross Brawn was a surprise presence for Ferrari. The Briton took a sabbatical at the end of last year when seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher retired.

Ross Brawn

Brawn has been talking to the Italian team about a possible return but nothing has been announced.

However, he worked closely with compatriot Nigel Stepney, the former Ferrari employee at the heart of the spying controversy that has gripped Formula One since July.

McLaren, who lead Ferrari by 23 points in the constructors' standings after last weekend's Italian Grand Prix one-two at Monza, are accused of having used leaked data and information from the Italian team.

Ferrari suspect Stepney has denied the accusation of passing information to McLaren's now suspended chief designer Mike Coughlan.

Coughlan was suspended in July after a 780-page dossier of Ferrari information, covering every aspect of the team's 2007 car, was found at his home in England.

McLaren maintain that Coughlan, who had approached Honda enquiring about job opportunities jointly with Stepney, was acting without their knowledge and none of the information had found its way on to their cars.

McLaren was found guilty at a hearing in July of possession of unauthorized Ferrari material but escaped sanction after the FIA's World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) ruled they had not benefited from it.

However, they were warned that they could be kicked out of this and next year's championship if new proof emerged.

Yesterday's WMSC hearing was called in place of an appeal into the original verdict after the governing body said new evidence had emerged.

(China Daily via Agencies September 14, 2007)