British newspaper The Telegraph is reporting that British and Italian police yesterday searched homes owned by Ron Dennis, team principal of McLaren and searched McLaren headquarters. A Spanish newspaper yesterday reported that Dennis was being forced out of his role with the team by Mercedes-Benz, which owns a large interest in the team.

Police, according to the report, conducted the searches in the early morning hours looking for documents and computer data linking Dennis to the thefts last year of confidential information from the Ferrari Formula One team. It was reported that computer files were removed by Italian authorities from McLaren headquarters.

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"McLaren have today continued their co-operation with enquiries instigated by the Modena magistrate. The Surrey police accompanied Italian investigators to the homes of a number of McLaren executives as part of their ongoing investigation. A similar process has been performed at the McLaren Technology Centre.

"The police are satisfied with the co-operation they have received. These actions are part of a normal judicial process in connection with the ongoing investigation, and are supported by McLaren Racing.”

Five members of the McLaren team, including Dennis, The McLaren five of Dennis, Martin Whitmarsh, Jonathan Neale, Paddy Lowe and Rob Taylor, have been previously advised by Italian authorities that they are the subject of criminal investigation in that country. According to yesterday’s report in the Spanish newspaper, Whitmarsh is in line to succeed Dennis as team principal. As yet, however, there has been no confirmation by McLaren of the Spanish newspaper report.