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McLaren pushes ahead with Brazilian appeal

2007-10-25T04:34:00.001+07:00

McLaren confirmed that it has, via its UK governing body, the MSA, filed a notice of appeal to the FIA's International Court of Appeal against the decision not to exclude the two Williams and BMWs from the result of the 2007 Brazilian Grand Prix.
A statement issued by the team read, "The Rules of the FIA International Court of Appeal allow a team only a short period in which to file a notice of appeal and McLaren has complied with that. The team has taken the view, from the information that we currently have available that there was non-compliance with the regulations. The team believes that the FIA has, in written clarification of the Technical Regulations and in its minutes of two Formula 1 Team Manager meetings, made clear how it would interpret and manage the regulations and procedures associated with the control of fuel temperatures. This process was followed in the normal manner by the FIA Technical Delegate following the Brazilian Grand Prix and the irregularities were reported by him to the Stewards of the meeting."

"Consequently the team does not understand the justification as described in the decision published late on Sunday evening. The significance of this matter and its timing is, of course, regrettable. The team wishes to win races and Championships on the track. However, if there has been an irregularity, which is not the fault of the team, we feel that the matter must be properly examined to ensure that the rules are applied. This is something that we believe the FIA would fully support and would wish to be seen to have done."

"McLaren Mercedes wishes to stress, however, that it does not question the integrity of either the BMW or Williams teams. We know, without even enquiring, that neither team would have sought to achieve a performance advantage by such an irregularity and that the situation could only have arisen as the consequence of an operational error within the team on the day. Ultimately we feel that the FIA should determine whether an irregularity occurred or not, and the team will fully respect the process and any decision that is ultimately given."

The move comes despite the fact that both Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton have publicly stated that any change in the championship outcome would not be welcome.

Hamilton takes step closer to title after wet-weather win

2007-10-23T04:34:00.000+07:00

Lewis Hamilton took a huge stride towards becoming Formula One world champion in his rookie season after keeping his head where others lost theirs in treacherous conditions at Fuji Speedway.

The rain that blighted qualifying continued into raceday, causing concern for the organisers and stewards before the decision was taken to start the 67-lap event behind the safety car. Even then, however, the call was not met with universal approval, with radio traffic between drivers and teams suggesting that consensus was for the race to be halted - or even abandoned. FIA delegate Charlie Whiting stuck to his guns, however, and, for 19 laps, the field toured around behind Bernd Maylander's Mercedes.

The reduced pace did not mean that there was a dearth of intrigue, however, with Ferrari's Felipe Massa spinning off on lap two. The incident highlighted the fact that the Scuderia had been the only team to opt for Bridgestone's 'intermediate' wet weather tyres, despite Whiting having issued an edict insisting that all eleven operations had to utilise the 'extreme wet' option. Ferrari claimed not to have received the message - apparently the only organisation, broadcasters and so on included, not to do so - but was made to pit for the required rubber, dropping both Massa and Kimi Raikkonen to the tail of the snake.

Even with the deeper cut tyres fitted, the conditions proved tricky, with Raikkonen, pushing to catch up to the field, spinning at turn ten. The Finn resumed undamaged, but the rotation prompted further calls from concerned drivers, many of who reported not being able to see the safety light of the car in front because of the amount of spray being thrown up.

Ferrari's Finn to be kept waiting by McLaren appeal

2007-10-23T04:24:00.000+07:00

Kimi Raikkonen may have to wait a short while until his Formula One world title can be officially confirmed after McLaren announced that it would appeal against the decision not to penalise Williams and BMW Sauber for alleged fuel irregularities.

Raikkonen was confirmed as champion twice on Sunday, once in the initial results and again after the questionable fuel samples were checked and declared by the stewards not to contravene regulations 'enough' to warrant punishment. Both teams had been deemed to have fuel that was 'too cool', potentially providing a power boost.

However, perhaps fittingly in a season riddled with controversy and back-biting between the two leading teams, McLaren has announced that it would appeal the decision. Exclusion or demotion for Nico Rosberg, Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld would promote Lewis Hamilton from his original seventh place, handing him the title.

According to the original results, Raikkonen beat Hamilton and McLaren team-mate Fernando Alonso by a single point, despite entering the Brazilian Grand Prix third in the standings, after neither of his rivals was able to secure the result they needed to take the title. Hamilton, in particular, was hampered by a gearbox problem that left him having to climb back through the field.

Appeals in Formula One are an inexact science, with outcomes going both ways. Eddie Irvine was handed a longer suspension and bigger fine for an accident in his first Brazilian Grand Prix, but Ferrari's appeal into the judges' decision on this season's espionage affair proved more fruitful, seeing McLaren excluded from the constructors' championship and handed a record $100m fine.

The Long Tail

2007-10-22T07:46:00.000+07:00

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