Ferrari has filed a criminal suit against long-time technical staffer Nigel Stepney for possible attempted sabotage before the recent Monaco Grand Prix.
Judicial sources said the case is linked to the discovery of a powder, whose exact nature has yet to be established, on the fuel tanks of drivers Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen six days before the race.
Ferrari have declined to comment on the details of the case, saying only that the British technician is still an employee but disciplinary proceedings have been brought against him.
Stepney, 48, has reportedly been unhappy at Ferrari since the departure of his immediate boss, tactical supremo Ross Brawn, last year.
He was moved out of the race squad and made head of team performance development - a move he considered a demotion to a backroom job and led to an interview in the British press criticising the team.
He has been widely linked to a move to Honda.
Stepney is a highly popular ex-pit crew leader who became Brawn's No.2 and was instrumental in Ferrari's six constructors' and five drivers' titles between 1999 and 2004.
Ferrari is 35 points behind leaders McLaren in this year's championship.
