Retired long-time McLaren employee Jo Ramirez has backed Ron Dennis’ Woking based team as it prepares to face a spy charge on Thursday.
The 66-year-old, who for 17 years until he retired in 2001 was McLaren’s team coordinator, slammed Ferrari’s Nigel Stepney and McLaren designer Mike Coughlan as both “stupid” for getting involved in the transfer and receipt of secret Ferrari material.
Ramirez told motorline: “It is very unfortunate that McLaren became entangled in this affair.”
He insists that Dennis’ integrity is second to none in the F1 paddock.
“For more than 18 years he was my boss,” Ramirez said, “so I am one hundred per cent certain that he has nothing to do with it.
“I know Ron very well and I know that in his life he would never permit such a thing.
“When I was with the team, there was never any betrayal and we never copied anything — that is not the way at McLaren.”
