Sep.13 (GMM) Ross Brawn was one of the smartly-dressed familiar faces who turned up at the FIA's Paris headquarters on Thursday morning for the spy saga hearing.

Ferrari sources confirmed that the former technical director, who is currently on a sabbatical but touted to return to the Italian marque next year, will appear at the team's request as a witness.

Lewis Hamilton and Pedro de la Rosa, unfamiliarly dressed in suits, also entered the building in Place de la Concorde with the large McLaren entourage, with rookie championship leader Hamilton telling the media huddle that he was there because "we are a team".

Fernando Alonso, meanwhile, was some 300kms away at Spa-Francorchamps, where he is scheduled to participate in the FIA press conference ahead of the Belgian grand prix.

He will be one of only a few senior McLaren figures at the circuit, with team co-owner Mansour Ojjeh, managing director Jonathan Neale, team boss Ron Dennis and Mercedes' Norbert Haug all in Paris.

Also involved in the extraordinary World Motor Sport Council hearing are the FIA's Charlie Whiting and Max Mosley, Ferrari principal Jean Todt and F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone.