McLaren Appeal After Hamilton Stripped of Dramatic Race Victory

McLaren have launched an appeal after Lewis Hamilton was last night stripped of victory in the Belgian grand prix. The Briton believed he had extended his lead in the drivers' championship to eight points after taking the checkered flag in first place at the end of a dramatic race but was later penalized for the way he had overtaken Kimi Raikkonen, the world champion.

Hamilton was demoted to third place for gaining an unfair advantage at the start of the penultimate lap and is now only two points ahead of Raikkonen's Ferrari team-mate, Felipe Massa, who had been second on the road but was declared the winner.

Hamilton had been engaged in a race-long duel with Raikkonen when rain began to fall with three laps to go. The 23-year-old caught the Finn and drew alongside his Ferrari as they approached the Bus Stop chicane at the end of the lap but had to cut the first part of the corner. He rejoined in the lead, immediately let Raikkonen regain the position, then retook the lead under braking for the next corner.

"I had taken a short cut and I knew I had to let him pass," said Hamilton. "That's what I did. Then I got back in his slipstream and got through again at the next corner. He hit me up the back and nearly caused me to spin. It was a great fight and I don't think there was anything wrong. This is motor racing. I think it was fair and square."

The officials disagreed. After reviewing video evidence and talking to witnesses the race stewards declared that Hamilton had "cut the chicane and gained an advantage", the inference being that he had not slowed down enough as Raikkonen regained his lead, the Briton then using the ensuing momentum to unfair advantage when repassing the Ferrari.

"I didn't want to wait until he flew past," said Hamilton, speaking before the stewards had reached their verdict. "I couldn't really see where he was. But eventually I could see him and I don't think I was on full throttle when he came past. I don't know how much more I could have done. I didn't do anything wrong but if we get a penalty there'll be something wrong. But we know what they're like, so ..."

The punishment would have been a drive-through penalty in the pit lane but, because there was not enough time remaining in the race for the stewards to reach their decision, Hamilton had 25 seconds added to his elapsed race time, dropping him to third behind Massa and the BMW Sauber of Nick Heidfeld.

Ferrari later emphasized that they had not protested about Hamilton's driving. The race director, Charlie Whiting, had reported Hamilton to the three stewards employed by the FIA.

Raikkonen crashed while giving chase to Hamilton on the penultimate lap, leaving Massa to cross the line in second place after closely shadowing the leaders throughout the 44 laps. "I was pretty lucky after such a crazy race," said the Brazilian. "When the rain came I saw these guys fighting like crazy but I was thinking about the championship and trying to bring the car home. I'm happy with that and the job we did. It's very encouraging."

Prior to hearing the stewards' verdict Hamilton had referred to the race as "the most exciting win I've ever had". He had led off the start but spun at the end of the first lap, relegating him to second place, before giving chase to Raikkonen.

With five races remaining Massa has 74 points to Hamilton's 76. The 14th round of the championship will be the Italian grand prix next Sunday.