FIA delays disciplinary hearing over spy scandal mechanic Nigel Stepney

Nigel Stepney's lawyers said Friday that a hearing scheduled to be held last week in London had been postponed because of "flight difficulties" in Geneva.

The former Ferrari mechanic at the heart of the Formula One spy scandal will have to wait until March to state his case to a FIA disciplinary commission.

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Nigel Stepney's lawyers said Friday that a hearing scheduled to be held last week in London had been postponed because of "flight difficulties" in Geneva.

Law firm Coyle White Devine said the hearing would now take place after March 7, but did not specify a date.

"Despite having to endure months of unfounded allegations, Mr. Stepney has maintained a dignified silence, secure in the knowledge that he would, one day, be able to explain his position and offer a perspective based on more than 30 years as a Formula One 'insider,"' the firm said in a statement.

"Mr. Stepney is very much looking forward to this postponed opportunity to put his side of the story in a legal environment, rather than continue to endure ill-informed allegations against him."

Stepney was head of performance development at Ferrari when the scandal broke last July and he was accused of leaking confidential data to rival McLaren.

Stepney was fired from Ferrari, while McLaren was fined a record US$100 million by the World Motor Sport Council and kicked out of the manufacturers' championship after being accused of using the leaked information.

In subsequent interviews, Stepney has said he was only seeking out job opportunities and McLaren had inappropriately used the information.