Fisichella Declared Brazil Gp Winner

Jordan driver Giancarlo Fisichella has been declared the winner of Sunday's chaotic Brazilian grand prix after the FIA over-ruled the original result today.

Championship leader Kimi Raikkonen of Finland, declared the winner at Interlagos, was demoted to second place after a meeting of race stewards at International Automobile Federation (FIA) headquarters.

"I am very happy that the FIA (ruling body) and everybody recognises that I won the Brazilian Grand Prix," Fisichella said in a team statement.

"I already thought that this was the case and the team believed it straight away and then in recent days when the evidence was examined, we knew it was true and hoped it would become official," said Fisichella.

"It was very difficult for me with the confusion after the race and I'm still disappointed that I didn't have my moment at the top of the podium," added Fisichella, who won in his 110th start and Jordan's 200th race.

"But I am pleased that it is clear now that I have won my first grand prix...I'm looking forward to more podiums and wins in the future."

The Jordan driver is looking forward to starting his next race - the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola on April 20 - as a winner.

"Now I can't wait for the next grand prix because it will be fantastic to be in Italy, racing in front of fans at home.

"The atmosphere at Imola is always great and it's a few years since an Italian driver has won a grand prix so it's going to be even better this time. I'm proud to be starting my home grand prix as a race winner."

The decision resulted from a timing discrepancy, unprecedented in formula one history, after evidence came to light that race leader Fisichella had started one lap more than the 55 announced on Sunday.

The 71-lap Brazilian grand prix was stopped after two crashes left the track strewn with wreckage. Under a countback system, the winner was declared to be the driver leading two laps before the halt. Fisichella, whose car caught fire after the race was stopped, had overtaken Raikkonen on lap 54.

Raikkonen, who took the first win of his 36-race career in Malaysia, is now nine points ahead of Coulthard and 16 clear of Schumacher.

Coulthard remained in fourth place. Schumacher crashed out at Interlagos and has yet to finish a race on the podium this season after winning 11 times in 2002.