Wednesday 14 May at 19:06 : Czech motoring chief Radovan Novak has retracted his reported insinuation that McLaren may have been involved in the covert investigation that triggered the Max Mosley sex scandal.

The British team said in a statement on Wednesday that Novak, believed to be an ally of the embattled FIA president, also "apologised for the misunderstanding" following his recent comments on Czech radio.

Novak is reported to have suggested that it is "definitely a possibility" that the sex scandal may have been McLaren boss Ron Dennis' retaliation for the espionage affair of 2007.

Dennis subsequently wrote to the Czech Automobile Association chief for a withdrawal or correction of the remarks.

On Wednesday, the Mercedes-powered team said it has now been contacted by Novak.

"Mr Novak has asked us to make it clear that he does not believe that either McLaren or Mr Dennis were involved in the events referred to and that the remarks are not representative of his views," a statement said.

The team added that Dennis thanked Novak "for this gracious and swift reaction".