The FIA’s International Court of Appeal has rejected McLaren’s case
over the fuel temperatures of the BMW and Williams cars in last month’s
Brazilian Grand Prix.
After a day of deliberation, having heard all sides yesterday in a
London location, the ICA said the results of the Interlagos race will
remain unchanged, confirming Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen as the 2007 world
champion.
The governing body said in a statement the case was rejected because McLaren’s appeal is inadmissable.
The International Court of Appeal was presided over four judges from the Czech Republic, United States, Greece and Portugal.
The full statement by the FIA:
"The FIA International Court of Appeal met in London on Thursday,
November 15, 2007, to examine an appeal lodged by the Motor Sports
Association (MSA) on behalf of its licence-holder Vodafone McLaren
Mercedes against the decision (document 41) of the Panel of the
Stewards of the 2007 Brazilian Grand Prix dated 21 October 2007 and
counting towards the 2007 FIA Formula One World Championship.
"Following a report from the Technical Delegate indicating that the
temperature of fuel pumped into the cars N°9 – Nick Heidfeld, N°10 –
Robert Kubica, N°16 – Nico Rosberg and N°17 – Kazuki Nakajima, was more
than 10 degrees centigrade below ambient temperature, the Stewards of
the Meeting met to consider whether a penalty should be imposed.
"Having heard the evidence they decided not to impose a penalty as
they had sufficient doubt as to both the temperature of the fuel on
board the car and to the true ambient temperature.
"Having heard the explanations of both parties and having examined
the various documents and other evidence, the Court decided that the
appeal lodged by Vodafone McLaren Mercedes is inadmissible.
"The International Court of Appeal was presided over by Mr Jan
STOVICEK (Czech Republic), elected President, and composed of Mr John
CASSIDY (United States), Mr Vassilis KOUSSIS (Greece) and Mr José
MACEDO e CUNHA (Portugal)."
Good. However, I think it’s necessary to say that regarding the McLaren lawyer pleading for Lewis Hamilton to be promoted position in the championship was a very confusing, and some what hypocritical, role to play from the team. When McLaren CEO Martin Whitmarsh claims the team were not hunting for the title in the courtroom, you can’t help but feel ashamed of it.
"It’s important to stress that the FIA Stewards’ inquiry at the
Brazilian Grand Prix was not triggered by any action from McLaren, but
by a report written and made public by the FIA Technical Delegate,
which drew the FIA Stewards’ attention to what we regarded as a clear
regulation breach on the part of BMW-Sauber and Williams.
"Our appeal was merely a logical and procedural step in the process begun by the FIA Technical Delegate’s written report.
"We hope that this fuel temperature issue does not remain unresolved
in Formula One next year, but we look forward to working with the FIA
and the teams on clarifying matters to avoid a similar situation
occurring again."
Lewis Hamilton, who before made clear that the title being decided in court was not what he wanted, said today that the FIA made the right decision:
"As I have said all along, Kimi deserved to win the 2007 World
Drivers’ Championship, and neither I nor anyone at Vodafone McLaren
Mercedes had any desire to take it off him in court. That was not the
purpose of the team’s appeal," Hamilton said.
"I am looking forward to the 2008 season and racing Kimi, and all my
other rivals, on track and hopefully be able to go one better than the
second place I achieved in this year’s World Drivers’ Championship."
"The team can now confirm that the facts of this case are as follows:
"1. Article 6.5.4 of the FIA Technical Regulations states that no
fuel on- board the car may be more than 10C below ambient temperature.
"2. There is no specified source for the ambient temperature
measurement, and there is no homologated and sealed sensor for
measuring fuel temperature either in the fuel rigs or on-board the cars.
"3. Meteo France, who provide official temperature measurements for
the FIA and Formula One teams, recorded a maximum ambient temperature
during the Brazilian GP of 33C.
"4. The lowest temperatures recorded by Williams’ precise on-board
sensors in the fuel tank and in the fuel injection rail on either of
its cars during the Grand Prix were 31C and 35C respectively.
"5. Consequently, as the Stewards found, there was no breach of the regulations.
"6. All of the preceding points are consistent with all of the
clarifications and opinions related to fuel temperatures expressed in
Team Managers’ Meetings and other such forums. The views offered in
these meetings fully support Williams’ case as presented to the FIA ICA.
"These facts lay behind the Steward’s decision in Brazil. Williams
was pleased to be able to present these facts to the ICA and see the
Steward’s decision upheld, confirming that both Williams race cars were
legal throughout the course of the Brazilian Grand Prix."
PitPass.com reported this before the official statement of the FIA’s decision was released:
"Although it has yet to be officially confirmed, we hear that the International Court of Appeal has rejected McLaren’s appeal against the result of the Brazilian GP and that consequently the World Championship standings remain unchanged.
I’m sure I’m not the only Kimi fan who hasn’t been able to fully celebrate his first world championship, because there has been a slight burden over my heart. Despite feeling positive that he would retain his title whatever the appeal verdict was, I can’t deny that it was relieving for it to be 100% clear.
With a sigh, we can now turn away from the 2007 F1 World Championship. With a deepening heart and no words to say, let’s allow Kimi to be the deserving champion of such a season and a thumbs up to all Kimi fans out there.
FUCK ISRAEL 