Motor racing engine progress hit by espionage say Renault

[renaultbel]

The Renault-owned Benetton Formula One racing team have been hit by industrial espionage that has severely hampered their bid to develop into a competitive force.


This was revealed over the weekend of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone by Renault technical director Jean-Jacques His, who said that the 'theft' by computer hackers of his team's designs had been a major setback to their plans.


He said the hackers had broken into the Renault system 12 months ago, just when his team were working intensively on the final designs for this year's Renault Formula One racing engine.


"I'm afraid some data from the design of the engine had gone and we had to change direction in certain areas. It was a problem for us".


Benetton, using Renault engines, have struggled to be competitive this season, with both their drivers, Italian Giancarlo Fisichella and Briton Jenson Button having to endure poor qualifying and race performances.


In Sunday's British Grand Prix, they finished 13th and 15th respectively, and after 11 of the season's 17 races they have accumulated only one championship point.


His said the team's engine headquarters in Paris had been infiltrated by hi-tech software spies, who had taken data about the engine designs, and he suggested responsibility for the 'virtual reality break-in' lay with the former East Germany's secret service police.


RIVAL TEAMS


His also suggested that these 'spies' were probably trying to sell the secrets of Renault's designs to rival Formula One teams.


"It has been a big blow to us," His said. "We had to scrap a lot of our work when we found out and start all over again."


This has involved Renault bringing in a completely new security system and overhauling the computer network at their headquarters in Viry-Chatillion on the outskirts of Paris.


His said Renault had asked the French secret police to help them review their security procedures.


"We had expert investigations and we are certain that it was done by someone from outside," His said. "It has been traced back to Germany and we think to the people who used to work for the Stasi. There are a lot of them out of work now trying to make a profit with their skills."