McLaren to appeal Hamilton penalty

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Sunday 7th September 2008

McLaren will reportedly lodged an appeal against Lewis Hamilton's Belgian GP penalty with the FIA.

Hamilton was stripped of his victory and the ten points it would have bagged him by the race stewards in the wake of Sunday's Belgian GP.

The Brit was deemed to have gained an advantage over Kimi Raikkonen by cutting a chicane to take a position off the Ferrari driver.

As a result Hamilton was handed a 25second penalty that saw him drop from first to third, costing him four vital Championship points.

McLaren are however appealing the ruling which means the final say will belong with the FIA's International Court of Appeal.

"We looked at all our data and also made it available to the FIA stewards," a McLaren spokesperson told Autosport.

"It showed that, having lifted, Lewis was 6km/h slower than Kimi as they crossed the start/finish line.

"Having passed the lead back to Kimi, Lewis repositioned his car, moving across and behind Kimi to the right-hand line and then outbraked him into the hairpin.

"Based on this data, we have no option other than to register our intention to appeal."

Your Comments

Robbie08

"ronniepilgrim35 your comments are stupid in regards to Hamilton talking so much, he was winning races in GP2 hell he won the 2006 GP2 series, and in regards to his driving, he is a DAMN good driver how many F1 drivers have you known to over take 2 cars on a corner by driving BETWEEN them? he has got what is known as balls, something i fear you come across as not having."

the_technician

"why dont the FIA just announce that Ferrari have won the season and then we save all that fuel and pollution. What a disgrace and agree with Niki Lauda that this has been the worst decision in F1 history"

chickv

"Maclaren...No need to appeal. It's a waste of time . the FIA, Ferrari Internal Assistant, already decide the championship outcome behind close door, dominated by Ferrari sympatiser! Split from the F1. They are no more better than WWE! Rest assure....the Assistant will hand the crown to Ferrari ,come Brazil, on the Silver Plate! Ferrari can kill on the track but will still get off scott free while Maclaren will be scrutinised heavily for a simple common dubious mistake!"

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