Yes ladies and gentlemen, after an exciting, action-packed week chocked full of gargantuan press releases and a few hundred photos, regular programming has again commenced; and as my eloquent title has already alluded we're beginning the day with news of a rather unsavory sort. 

It turns out, after a day-long meeting yesterday, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) has just stripped the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes F1 team of all points earned in this year's constructor's standings, following findings that the team was in possession of technical documents acquired from Ferrari.  In addition, the FIA also imposed a staggering fine of $100 million against the McLaren Mercedes team, but at this point no additional penalties were given (meaning the team can continue competing in the remainder of the season's races, and both team drivers Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso will retain their individual points).

As for how the scandal originated, earlier this year, two computer discs containing information owned by Ferrari were found in McLaren Mercedes' chief designer Mike Coughlan's home, following a search conducted on the behest of the Italian team. The discs apparently originated from Ferrari mechanic Nigel Stepney, who has since been relieved of his duties at Ferrari and is also facing criminal charges levied against him by the team.

When the story originally broke in July, the FIA concluded that although McLaren Mercedes was in breach of article 151c of the International Sporting Code, there was "insufficient evidence that this information was used in such a way as to interfere improperly with the FIA Formula One World Championship," and accordingly, imposed no penalty on the team.  This led to Ferrari appealing the FIA's decision, and after new evidence was discovered which furthered the connection between Coughlan and Stepney, a new hearing was granted and the aforementioned penalties were imposed.

As for what Norbert Haug, vice-president of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport, had to say about the ruling:  "This judgment comes as an extreme shock for all team members and, as demonstrated by the reactions of large parts of the public, the media and Formula 1 viewers, is a shock for large segments of the public as well. We will now fight with all our resolve in order to give a proper response on the circuit, as we last did in Monza, and to get justice before the court."

To learn more about the FIA's decision as well as a complete overview of the $100 million scandal, you can check out the full story over at eFluxMedia.