LONDON - Formula One's governing body cleared McLaren today of using illegal team orders in their one-two victory at Monaco on Monday (NZ time).
"It is clear McLaren's actions during the 2007 Monaco Grand Prix were entirely legitimate and no further action is necessary," the International Automobile Federation(FIA) said in a statement.
The governing body said it had studied radio traffic between Mercedes-powered McLaren and their drivers Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton, as well as an FIA observer's report and data supplied by the team.
"It is standard procedure for a team to tell its drivers to slow down when they have a substantial lead," the FIA observed in a background note.
"This is in order to minimise the risk of technical or other problems. It is also standard practice and entirely reasonable to ask the drivers not to put each other at risk.
"McLaren were able to pursue an optimum team strategy because they had a substantial advantage over all other cars. They did nothing which could be described as interfering with the race result."
Double world champion Alonso won Monday's race from pole position after McLaren told British rookie Hamilton, running close behind him, to ease off after the first pitstop to ensure they finished one-two.
The decision triggered a controversy over the use of team orders, with British media complaining Hamilton had been robbed of a chance to win.
Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone had suggested McLaren could face a hefty fine, lose points or even be suspended from the championship if found guilty.
McLaren, who dominated the uneventful race with Alonso finishing more than a minute ahead of third-placed Felipe Massa in a Ferrari, welcomed the decision.
"The entire team was understandably disappointed outstanding drives from Fernando and Lewis resulting in a great one-two victory and McLaren's 150th win was temporarily tarnished," said team boss Ron Dennis.
"The efficient intervention and subsequent enquiry of the FIA into the allegations of the last three days has removed any doubt about the manner in which the team ran its cars."
Alonso leads the championship on race wins, with Hamilton also on 38 points. McLaren are 20 points clear of Ferrari in the constructors' standings.
