Hamilton Stripped of Podium !! - 2nd Apr 2009 11:23am
Lewis Hamilton and McLaren have been stripped of their podium finish and all points at the Australian Grand Prix.
The sport's world governing body, the FIA, said they were excluded "for providing evidence deliberately misleading to the stewards".
A post-race hearing promoted Hamilton from fourth to third after Jarno Trulli was penalised for passing Hamilton while the safety car was out.
Trulli and Toyota have been reinstated to third, and McLaren will not appeal.
An FIA spokesman said further action against McLaren "could not (be) rule out at this stage".
Trulli was initially handed a 25-second penalty for the incident which saw him demoted to 12th.
"We are disappointed by what has happened but in the circumstances we are not going to appeal," said McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh.
He added: "There is no implication that Lewis lied to the stewards.
"As I understand there is a belief that the team was not explicit enough in the content of the radio communications to the stewards.
BBC Sport Report...
Thats Petty. Why have they been disqualified, whereas Toyota have been given their podium back, but docked a couple of places for the next race???
The sport's world governing body, the FIA, said they were excluded "for providing evidence deliberately misleading to the stewards".
A post-race hearing promoted Hamilton from fourth to third after Jarno Trulli was penalised for passing Hamilton while the safety car was out.
Trulli and Toyota have been reinstated to third, and McLaren will not appeal.
An FIA spokesman said further action against McLaren "could not (be) rule out at this stage".
Trulli was initially handed a 25-second penalty for the incident which saw him demoted to 12th.
"We are disappointed by what has happened but in the circumstances we are not going to appeal," said McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh.
He added: "There is no implication that Lewis lied to the stewards.
"As I understand there is a belief that the team was not explicit enough in the content of the radio communications to the stewards.
BBC Sport Report...
Thats Petty. Why have they been disqualified, whereas Toyota have been given their podium back, but docked a couple of places for the next race???
