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In another dramatic twist in the Stepneygate saga, McLaren have requested that the FIA scrutinise certain matters pertaining to their rivals Renault. The hypothesis swirling around the paddock is that McLaren's opening gambit at the Paris spy hearing will be to implicate other teams. In a pre-emptive strike Renault team principal Flavio Briatore told the Italian media that there was no problem with his team, despite a rumour that Renault were about to be dragged into the affair. The nature of McLaren's complaint regarding the French team has not been disclosed. It is not thought to relate to the spying controversy, although sources have mooted that the focus will be around a technical element on Renault's R27 challenger. F1's governing body confirmed that McLaren's legal representatives had approached them about the Renault matter. However, the FIA have moved quickly to counter the McLaren strategy, by reiterating that the matters pertaining to the Enstone-based team will have no relevance to the World Motor Sport Council meeting this Thursday. An FIA spokesman told Autosport: "We have noted the speculation and we can confirm that McLaren lawyers have recently brought to our attention certain matters regarding Renault F1. "But we can also confirm that the team (Renault) does not form any part of our investigations into McLaren's alleged breach of Article 151C of the International Sporting Code. "The FIA has reminded McLaren that the World Council hearing in Paris on Thursday will focus solely on the new evidence in that investigation. "To the extent required, any other matters will be dealt with as part of an entirely separate process. Renault F1 are aware of this and are happy to cooperate fully."