PARIS, Sept 22, 2007 (AFP) - McLaren boss ron Dennis says the time has come to move on after the sorry and embarrassing spy scandal that has dogged Formula One this season.

McLaren announced on Friday they would not be appealing against the decision by the World Motor Sport Council to strip them of all their constructor points and impose a record 100 million dollar fine.

That handed Ferrari their first constructor´s title since 2004 and left McLaren counting on Lewis Hamilton or Fernando Alonso to wrap up the drivers´ title to save what has been by any standards a turbulent season.

Although Dennis has always been adamant that no Ferrari intellectual property is on this year´s McLaren car, he now accepts more than one of his employees was aware of the information.

"Having now had time to study the judgement of the World Motor Sport Council with its lawyers and shareholders, McLaren thinks it is in the best interests of the sport, and its goal of winning races and world championships, not to appeal," a statement confirmed.

"It is clear from the full judgement that the Council concluded that the charge that a McLaren employee had ´unauthorised possession of documents and confidential information´ was proven.

"Despite the existence of no evidence that the information was applied, tested or shared with the engineering team (which it was not), this possession constitutes a breach of the code.

"To our regret and embarrassment, the content of the previously unknown emails demonstrated possession not being limited to a single person, albeit unsanctioned in any way by the team."

Dennis believes that it is time to draw a line in the sand, although the criminal case against Stepney in Italy and the civil case against Coughlan in England remain ongoing.

However, Dennis remarked: "We believe the time has come to put this huge distraction behind us.

"McLaren wants to win races and world championships.

"We are fortunate to have, and continue to receive, unwavering support from our employees, sponsor partners and Formula One fans across the world - all of whom are equally keen we totally focus on winning this year´s drivers´ championship and the remaining three races of the season."

Hamilton (97 points) and Alonso (95) lead the driver´s title race as the F1 circus heads off to Asia for the 15th leg of the 17-race championship in Japan.

nr07