McLaren-Mercedes have confirmed that they intend to appeal the 25-second post-race time penalty handed out to
Lewis Hamilton following the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps today.
After getting the better of
Ferrari rival
Kimi Raikkonen in a thrilling late-race duel as the rain began to fall around the Ardennes circuit with the majority of drivers still out on slick tyres, Hamilton went on to secure his fifth victory of the 2008
Formula 1 World Championship campaign and with it open up an eight-point cushion over closest challenger
Felipe Massa.
However, following a post-race investigation by
FIA stewards, a retrospective 25-second drive-through penalty was imposed upon the Briton similar to that received by team-mate
Heikki Kovalainen earlier in the race for the Finn's avoidable collision' with
Red Bull Racing's
Mark Webber for having cut the chicane at the final corner and regained the track alongside Raikkonen, whilst battling his adversary two laps from the chequered flag [see separate story
click here].
With the stewards deeming an advantage had been gained even though Hamilton immediately backed off again to let the Ferrari re-pass him the penalty dropped the 23-year-old to third position in the final reckoning, handing Massa the win and seeing the Stevenage-born ace's advantage in the title chase, as he bids to secure his first
F1 drivers' trophy, reduced to a mere two points with five races remaining on the calendar.
We have no option other than to register our intention to appeal, a
McLaren spokesman is quoted as having affirmed after the race by
Reuters, though the news agency points out that it is uncertain whether such an appeal will be permitted under the sport's rules.
The announcement means the result of the grand prix round 13 of 18 on the 2008 Formula 1 calendar will now remain provisional until a hearing of the International Court of Appeal is convened.
