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Hamilton yet to speak

Appeal proceedings began in Paris this morning with regard to the 25-second penalty given to Lewis Hamilton following the Belgian Grand Prix.
We understand that the morning session focused on whether the appeal was admissible, as driver through penalties – the penalty applied was such, although post race – cannot be appealed.

Mark Philips QC, the McLaren barrister, has successfully argued that the appeal is admissible, arguing that it is with regard to the 25-second time penalty, and cited a prior incident involving Tonio Liuzzi and Adrian Sutil, in Japan last year, in which an identical time penalty was levied instead of a drive through.

The five judges – from Spain, Monaco, Austria the Netherlands and Switzerland – have adjourned for lunch, after which Lewis Hamilton is expected to speak once the discussions turn to the incident itself.

Philips argues that there was no advantage gained, and hence the penalty should not have been applied, saying in his opening address this morning:

"Millions of viewers watched Lewis Hamilton take the chequered flag at Spa on September 7. Millions of viewers had seen Lewis Hamilton as the quickest man on the circuit at the moment the rain started to fall. At that moment it became a question of when, and not if, he would drive past Kimi Raikkonen. In the wet Kimi Raikkonen was utterly defenceless. The world at large saw Lewis Hamilton on the podium taking the trophy, and then saw the post-race press conference.

"After about two hours the stewards decided to add 25 seconds to Lewis Hamilton's race time, so relegating him from first to third. The stewards say Lewis Hamilton cut a chicane and so gained an advantage. The evidence will show Lewis Hamilton gave the advantage back to Kimi Raikkonen. When they crossed the line, Hamilton was 6.7 kilometres per hour slower, and at one stage seven metres behind.

"If he had stayed behind Raikkonen through the corner and down the straight, he would have passed him anyway into turn one. But Lewis Hamilton had no other choice but to take an escape route, a decision he made at the last second through that chicane. The suggestion he could have braked and slowed down is simply wrong. If Kimi Raikkonen had not forced him off the track he would have passed him down the straight."

Perhaps the most controversial evidence presented by McLaren was a recording of the radio conversation in which Dave Ryan, McLaren Sporting Director, famously enquired of Race Director Charlie Whiting whether the driver had given up the advantage satisfactorily. The court heard the following exchange between Ryan and Whiting:

Ryan: 'Do you believe that was okay? He gave the position back.'

Whiting: 'I believe it was. Yes.'

Ryan: 'You believe it was okay.'

Whiting: 'I believe it was okay.'

The decision is expected to be made later today, although it may not be published until tomorrow (Tuesday) morning. At present, Hamilton is one point ahead of Ferrari rival Felipe Massa in the world title race – overturning the penalty would result in him being seven points ahead.
Updatef1 will keep you informed of further information.

Written: Mon, 22 Sep 2008 13:02:45