The team confirmed at the Australian Grand Prix on Friday that the Briton, who triggered the scandal when a 780 page dossier of Ferrari technical information was found at his home, was no longer an employee.

The controversy broke last July, when Coughlan was suspended by McLaren.

However he had remained on the staff of the Mercedes-powered team due to legal reasons.

Ferrari sacked Nigel Stepney, the British engineer accused of passing the information to Coughlan, in July. Both men face continuing legal action in Italy. -- REUTERS