McLaren in the clear over Monaco tactics

McLaren boss Ron Dennis was handed an early 60th birthday present yesterday when his team were cleared of rigging the Monaco Grand Prix.

The FIA's investigation into last Sunday's race determined that stopping Lewis Hamilton challenging winner Fernando Alonso did not amount to team orders'.

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The governing body said McLaren's pit-stop strategy and instructions to their drivers to ease off were legitimate tactics, especially given the imponderables of Monte Carlo's unique street circuit.

Dennis, who celebrates his birthday tomorrow, was within his rights to take Hamilton in earlier than planned to refuel because it gave McLaren the best chance of a one-two, the report said. With the safety car employed in four of the previous five Monaco races, the FIA's threeday probe said not to have done so would have been foolish'.

Of McLaren's decision not to let Hamilton fight for his maiden victory, the statement said: "It is standard procedure for a team to tell drivers to slow down when they have a substantial lead.

"This is in order to minimise the risk of technical or other problems. It is also standard practice and reasonable to ask the drivers not to put each other at risk.

"They did nothing which could be described as interfering with the race result."

For many, the outcome left a bitter taste for Damon Hill, the 1996 world champion, said: "I think, like most people, the team result is of secondary interest to the drivers' championship."