FIA imposes three-race ban on McLaren, then suspends it
Filed under: Motorsports
The FIA World Motor Sport Counsel has issued, and then retracted, a three-race on ban on McLaren after an investigation discovered the F1 team mislead race stewards at the Australian Grand Prix.
The episode that led to the probe involved McLaren accusing Toyota’s Jarno Trulli of overtaking Lewis Hamilton while the safety car was out, resulting in a 25-second penalty for Trulli and catapulting Hamilton to a third-place finish. Later, it was discovered that Hamilton had been in radio contact with his team, telling him to let Trulli pass. Hamilton was subsequently disqualified for lying to officials and soon thereafter made a public apology amidst rumors that the young champion would quit the sport. That didn’t happen, and with the three-race ban retracted - unless additional evidence surfaces or another breach of the sporting code takes place in the next twelve months - McLaren and Hamilton are ready to race on May 10 at the Spanish GP.
According to the FIA, the council felt McLaren’s handling of the situation, including the team’s principal, Martin Whitmarsh, was “open and honest.” You can find that gem, along with the rest of the FIA’s statement in the brief release below the fold.
Gallery: 2009 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix
[Source: Formula1]
Continue reading FIA imposes three-race ban on McLaren, then suspends it
FIA imposes three-race ban on McLaren, then suspends it originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
More: continued here