The 2007 Formula One espionage controversy , also known as `` Spygate , '' or `` Stepneygate '' involves claim that the teams passed confidential technical information . It was claimed that McLaren Formula One had information from the Ferrari team . The 2007 Formula One espionage controversy , also known as `` Spygate , '' or `` Stepneygate '' involves allegations that the McLaren Formula One team was passed confidential technical information from the Ferrari team , and that the Renault F1 team was passed confidential technical information from the McLaren team .