Hamilton appeal rejected
Eurosport - Wed, 24 Sep 09:19:00 2008
Lewis Hamilton said he was disappointed but not depressed after a court rejected McLaren's appeal to have the Formula One leader reinstated as Belgian Grand Prix winner.
The decision left the 23-year-old Briton just one point clear of Ferrari's Brazilian Felipe Massa with four races remaining.
The governing FIA said in a statement that the court of five judges had "concluded that the appeal is inadmissible" after Hamilton gave his version of events at the hearing in Paris on Monday.
"Article 152 of the International Sporting Code states that drive-through penalties are 'not susceptible to appeal'," the FIA added.
Hamilton, who was demoted from first to third at Spa-Francorchamps in the September 7 race after cutting a chicane, will now start Sunday's Singapore Grand Prix with 78 points to 77 for Massa.
Had McLaren's appeal been successful, Hamilton would have had a seven point advantage.
"People will probably expect me to be depressed about today's result, but that isn't me," he said in a McLaren statement.
"All I want to do now is put this matter behind me and get on with what we drivers do best - racing each other. We're racers, we're naturally competitive, and we love to overtake.
"Overtaking is difficult, and it feels great when you manage to pull off a great passing manoeuvre. If it pleases the spectators and TV viewers, it's better still. So I'm disappointed, yes, but not depressed."
A Ferrari spokesman said the Italian team would not be commenting on the verdict.
The race at Spa was a thriller but the excitement fell flat when stewards later ruled that Hamilton had gained an advantage by cutting the Bus Stop chicane while duelling with Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen for the lead in the closing stages.
They imposed a retrospective drive-through penalty, translated into 25 seconds added to Hamilton's total time, which dropped him from first to third.
Massa, who had finished second, was awarded his fifth win of the season instead.
Hamilton, who had handed back the position gained before overtaking Raikkonen again into the next corner, told the court in Paris he felt he had acted according to the rules.
McLaren had also pointed out to the court that race control had twice given Hamilton the all-clear at the time.
"We are naturally disappointed with today's verdict, and to have received no ruling on the substance of our appeal," said McLaren chief executive Martin Whitmarsh.
"No-one wants to win grands prix in court but we felt that Lewis had won the Belgian Grand Prix, on track, in an exciting and impressive manner.
"Our legal team and witnesses calmly explained this, as well as our belief that the appeal should be admissible, to the FIA International Court of Appeal," he added.
Hamilton arrived in Singapore on Tuesday, where he chatted and joked with fans while watching youngsters drive an F1 simulator in one of the city-state's plushest shopping centres.
Dressed in a grey suit, the driver told the crowd he was fully focused and looking forward to the sport's first night race.
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Comment 995 - 1014 of 1054
Forza Ferrari, I think you sum it up is stating without Ferrari there will be no formula 1. As Ferrari are controlling just about every aspect of it.
But seriously, the FIA seem to be hiding to say that the ruling should stand as a drive through penalty cannot be appealed against. Lewis wasn't given a drive through he was given a retrospective. there was plenty of time during the race to have ordered a drive through, so why didn't they?
A sampling of stupid comments posted here:
"FIA = Ferrari International Alliance"
"Throw Ferrari out of Formula One"
"Lewis is being persecuted because he's black"
"Lewis is God"
"The Italian Mafia had a hand in this"
"Boycott Fiat"
"Boycott the Belgian GP"
"Ferrari are cheaters"
etc.........
Fact: If Lewis Hamilton was not a British driver driving for McLaren, 99% of you couldn't care less about the penalty.
Fact: WIthout Ferrari, there is no Formula One.
Fact: Which team was convicted of cheating and penalized for it in 2007? Hint: It starts with an "M".
Fact: Outside of the UK, the vast majority of Formula One fans are Ferrari fans. Just look at the crowds!
Fact: Lewis broke a rule and was penalized for it. The penalty is perhaps too harsh, but Lewis should have been smart enough, and patient enough, to wait before passing Kimi.
Fact: Lewis Hamilton could be working on his second World Championship if he was less arrogant and a bit smarter. Talent alone does not get the job done!
You McLaren fans should be happy about this decision. If Lewis wins the title, which he probably will, he will do it in spite of being penalized, and if he happens to lose it, you can always claim that he was cheated. Win-win situation for you guys.
hey tifosi4eva are you a bloke in drag?
Two things.
1. wizzo are you on acid? what the hell does that mean. Patience is NOT a noun so cannot be gained - come on shape up!
2. If the stop-go penalty (funny I thought it was a time penalty) was not susceptible to appeal, then why grant an appeal? Maclaren have now been given a double whammy. Can you imagine how much the "appeal" cost the team, more than Massa's derisory fine for racing in the pits I'll bet!
The ferrari sycophants ask why Maclaren fans keep bleating on about this - well it's because we are British and have a sense of fair play!
To tifosiFiat or whatever your name is you really are stupidly juvenile, may I suggest you pack up your things & leave this board.
You will be more than welcome back in say 11 or 12 years when you have got past your toddler stage & can make some sensible grown up comments, untill then night night & don't let the bed bugs bite.
tifosi4eva , The last time I checked , Lewis was still ahead of Massa and Kimi in the points.
Sorry, I meant to say "Fined"
To: vinnydawg67, Does that job pay well?...If so, count me in...
No doubt the next major issue will be when the drivers get find for throwing away their tear away strips in violation of Singapore's very strict litter laws...
Who made Raven the forums supervisory regulator?
Rules are rules,the more Ham fans bleat then he will lose the title.He could EASILY have got Kimi AFTER the following corner but patience can only be gained by virtue.
Lets forget all about F1 and instead of watching on a sunday, watch previously recorded NASCAR races instead .... FIA seem to make up rules as they go along .... what an appauling display by a governing body. Ive watched my last race.........
Surely the issue is not that Hamilton was penalised according to the rules, but that previously Massa was not. Massa endangers himself, another driver, a photographer and potentially several pit crews by a risky pitlane manouevre which by good fortune does not turn into a tragedy - but he is not penalised because he was lucky enough to get away with it (Oh! and he drives a Ferrari, of course...)
A shame but i had a feeling they would reject the appeal.
Hamilton to win the title!
To : Rick M, OK, but do it with respect, it is dead after all....
everybody robbed hamilton victory. just because he braved the chikane and better driver, it seemed that raikonnen and massa just simply actors of hollywood that afraid of reality that FI is not a coward game... shame you massa..
henry c not all fans know the offside rule,but still enjoy the sport.do agree that the rules are vauge but that is why you have appeal procedures.
Apologies to Shaun last comment was aimed at Rick m.Who,semms to have gone quiet.Must still have his head up his arse.
But Raven, we have to have something to talk about. The next controversy is still 4days and 4 hours away.
tifosi4eva - for someone so beautiful, you are quite dumb!
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