The McLaren appeal set for November 15

The International Court of Appeal of the FIA will review the McLaren case on the decision made by the race officials following the Brazilian Grand Prix, on Thursday, November 15.

The race stewards at Interlagos had decided not to penalize the BMW Sauber and Williams teams after a possible fuel issue, during part of last Sunday’s race, where the temperature may have been too high.

Lewis Hamilton for McLaren finished the race behind Nico Rosberg’s Williams and the BMW Saubers of Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld.

If all three are disqualified, the Briton could gain additional points and thus reclaim the world championship title held by the winner of the Brazilian event, Kimi Räikkönen.

Let’s imagine that the three drivers in question are demoted; they finished 4th, 5th, and 6th. Hamilton could then take the 4th place with his 5 points, which is three more than he currently has, and instead of finishing the season with 109 points, he would have 112 points, thus 2 more than Räikkönen.

But regarding the appeal decision, FIA President Max Mosley downplayed the threat to challenge the title held by the Finn.

« For us, the World Championship is over, the result is what it is. A team has filed an appeal; at the moment, it doesn’t change anything, it’s up to them to prove they’re right. » He declared.

Mosley also addressed the question of whether or not McLaren has the right to appeal this decision, given that they did not protest the results of the Brazilian Grand Prix.

« One could say that McLaren has the right to appeal. They could have protested the result, but they didn’t. Apparently, they didn’t measure the fuel temperature! »

« But even if the cars ranked ahead of Hamilton were to be excluded, will that change his position? The Court of Appeal will have to rule on this point. » Concluded Mosley.