McLaren lose appeal over Hamilton,,
Well done the judges.. Now the racing gets interesting..
McLaren's appeal against Lewis Hamilton's drive-through penalty at the Belgian Grand Prix has been rejected.
Hamilton strongly pressed his case at Monday's appeal to the FIA in Paris as he aimed to overturn a 25-second penalty for cutting a chicane at Spa.
The 23-year-old was demoted into third, with Felipe Massa handed the victory.
If successful, Hamilton would have seen his lead increase to seven points over Ferrari's Massa, but the five judges upheld the stewards' ruling.
"Article 152 of the International Sporting Code states that drive-through penalties are 'not susceptible to appeal'," the FIA said in a statement.
"Having heard the explanations of the parties, the court has concluded that the appeal is inadmissible."
Hamilton's loss of four points, therefore, stands and he leads the drivers' standings by one point from Massa with four races remaining in the F1 season.
"It was long and intense," said Hamilton on emerging from Monday's proceedings.
"I said what was on my mind because in that position you can be talked down to," he added, having earlier rounded on Ferrari counsel Nigel Tozzi QC during cross-examination.
We are talking about a driver under pressure making a decision which no-one unless they are in Formula One can comprehend
Lewis Hamilton
Hamilton asserted his case powerfully in front of Tozzi, at one point stating: "Are you a racing driver? No!
"I have been a racing driver since I was eight years old and I know pretty much every single manoeuvre in the book, and that's why I'm the best at my job.
"We are talking about a skilled driver under intense pressure making a split-second decision which no-one, not unless they are in Formula One, can comprehend."
Tozzi told Hamilton to "stop personalising" the issue as he was under instruction from Ferrari, who "know as much about Formula One as you do".
Hamilton responded: "With respect, I doubt it."
The Englishman later admitted there were "much better things" he could have done with his Monday, ahead of F1's first ever night race in Singapore.
"But today was a very important issue," he added.
Based on the evidence we saw at the time and from subsequent analysis we believe any advantage was ceded
Thanks Britexpat for keeping QL updated with news on F1.
I remember the commentators stating in Monza race that all the drivers had a breifing before the race began and they re-iterated the point that if any advantage has been taken due to cutting of chicane then it must he handed back to the other driver immediately and no overtaking manoeuver could be made until they pass next corner.
Also surprised to see that the above reported ended with something like this, "Based on the evidence we saw at the time and from subsequent analysis we believe any advantage was ceded"
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3000 QL Points
Way to go Ray!
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My support goes to Iceman but I would hope to see Heikki also in the podium more often..
I started finding him weird when he started talking about listing himself in the stock exchange! LOL
Glad to hear that someone else agrees with me about Hamilton
:P
Michael Schumacher was a legend......!!!
brit, I support Massa at the moment. I support any Brazilian apart from Piquet. Maybe the son is fine, but Senna supporters could not stand the father so...
I used to like Hamilton at the beginning of last year, until he started pulling his tricks. Now I find him despicable.
Senna was my hero... What a driver and what a waste at such a young age..
There are no "personalities" any more... Apart from Raikonen I suppose..
Bring back Nigel Mansell!!! And Ayrton Sennakot!!
Hamilton...
By the way.. Seems Hubby has a great head on his shoulders.. Anyone supporting the prancing horse is OK in my book..
Ferrari and I have a picture of him watching Schumi to support it!
But let me make it clear that this is because of hubby's influence on him, not mine. I don't support a team, I'd rather support a driver.
And may i ask which team the Cat supports ?
And you know what's so funny? One of my cats also watches the races sometimes. He sits near the TV and moves his head as the cars "fly" by. Too funny.
I absolutely am, brit. Not a fanatic, though. One of my gripes about being here is missing the Sunday races! Used to be something to do with hubby and a glass of beer :)
One thing to look forward to doing again.
You're an F1 fan ? Puss on wheels eh!
I hope Ferrari win, but I doubt it. Montezemello has already complained about the track and I agree with him.. Its narrow and overtaking will be dificult..
This is great news! Can't wait for Sunday's race.
Raikonen had the racing line and the advantage going into the chicane. If you read the papers , all the drivers said that Hamilton was in the wrong..
Its all fixed to make life easy for ferrai, think this is all true...
http://www.sniffpetrol.com/2008/09/12/those-new-f1-rules-in-full/
Qatars best known Pirate - Yaarr!
I think you got this one wrong. It was always about making the championship race "more interesting".
Listened to may of the old school being interviewed and they seemed to think that too.
Blame the poison dwarf!
...and McClaren
Leader of the F1 championship and can manage it alone.
So no worries, the best will win ;-)
look at how he screwed up Alonso last year..
...he was robbed of the title last year by Alonso, now the decision this year may cost him the championship again!
:(
Makes the 4 remaining races more interesting...!!!
He should have had his 1st position re-instated!
:(