Stepney in court

The action has been brought in a court in Modena, the nearest large Italian town to Ferrari's base in Maranello.

"Nigel Stepney is still an employee but we have brought an action against him," said a Ferrari spokesman, who refused to give details.

"It is not related to any event, it is related to his behaviour," he said.

Stepney, who has a Ferrari contract until the end of 2007, said in February that he was open to offers from rival teams after expressing unhappiness at management changes.

He was then moved to a new role, in charge of team performance development, away from the racetrack.

The Briton, who joined in 1992 as chief mechanic before the start of a golden period for Ferrari, played an important role in leading the pit crew at race weekends.

Ferrari, 35 points behind McLaren in this year's championship, have undergone major restructuring in their technical department with tactical supremo Ross Brawn leaving along with engine head Paolo Martinelli.

REUTERS