22/06/2007 14:51

Maranello - Ferrari have filed a criminal complaint accusing a British team member of attempted sabotage before the Monaco Grand Prix.

Nigel Stepney, a technician who is responsible for team performance, was cited in the deposition in a Modena court, Ferrari spokesperson Luca Colajanni said on Friday.

A mysterious powder was found on the gas tanks of Felipe Massa's and Kimi Raikkonen's cars on May 21, six days before the Monaco race, the Gazzetta dello Sport and the Italian news agency ANSA reported.

The parts were replaced before the race and the powder was sent to the police to be examined.

Massa finished third in the race and Raikkonen was eighth.

ANSA reported that Stepney was disappointed that he was not promoted to technical director when Ross Brawn left the team after last season. Stepney criticised Ferrari in an interview with a British newspaper and the team responded by not sending him to races anymore.

Ferrari said it has also started an internal investigation against Stepney, but that he is still employed by the team. It would not provide information on his whereabouts.

Ferrari are struggling to keep up with McLaren-Mercedes this season.

McLaren drivers Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso are 1-2 in the driver's standings, while Massa and Raikkonen are third and fourth.

In the team standings, McLaren hold a 35-point lead over Ferrari after seven of 17 races.