Formula One news

McLaren's appeal rejected

Felipe Massa will remain the winner of the Belgian Grand Prix after the International Court of Appeal decided McLaren could not appeal against the 25-second penalty given to Lewis Hamilton, relegating him to third in the race result.

The stewards at the Belgian Grand Prix had imposed a drive-through penalty on Hamilton for gaining an advantage from cutting the final chicane while fighting for the lead with Kimi Raikkonen. However, as the penalty was imposed at the end of the race, 25 seconds were added to Hamilton's total race time, in accordance with F1 rules.

Having heard McLaren's appeal in Paris yesterday, and spent much time debating whther the rules allowed them to appeal this kind of penalty, the International Court of Appeal said in a statement today, "Having heard the explanations of the parties the Court has concluded that the appeal is inadmissible."

The Court of appeal pointed to paragraph 5 of article 152 of the International Sporting Code which reads as follows:

"Penalties of driving through or stopping in pit lanes together with certain penalties specified in FIA Championship regulations where this is expressly stated, are not susceptible to appeal."

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