Wednesday, 14 May 2008, 16:27 GMT

McLaren said on Wednesday they had received an apology from the head of the Czech Automobile Association after news reports suggested he had hinted the team could have been involved in bringing to light the sex scandal surrounding FIA president Max Mosley.

The British squad had written a letter to Radovan Novak earlier this month, asking for clarification following comments attributed to him in which he suggested McLaren and team boss Ron Dennis were involved in a set-up against Mosley.

Both Dennis and McLaren have categorically denied any involvement.

McLaren said on Wednesday, however, that Novak had made it clear in his response to them that he never thought the team or Dennis had anything to do with the Mosley affair.

The team said in a statement that Novak had apologised for the misunderstanding.

"McLaren is pleased to be able to confirm that it has been contacted by Mr Radovan Novak to explain the background that led to certain remarks related to McLaren and Mr Ron Dennis being made in an interview that he gave to Radio Impuls in the Czech Republic," the team said in a statement.

"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.

"Mr Novak has apologised for the misunderstanding and McLaren and Mr Dennis have thanked him for this gracious and swift reaction."