Well isn’t it interesting how this appeal of McLaren’s over the fuel temperature irregularities of BMW Sauber and Williams in Brazil has largely been forgotten with the Renault “Spy Gate” saga on the front burner.
Hmm, speaking of burners’, what’s for Breakfast, eh? Well it’s not freshly baked croissants, as the hearing has been moved from Strike torn Paris to London. Guess it’s a good thing they’re all flying first class on British Airways?
Thus the International Court of Appeals (ICA) has been getting quite a workout lately with the revolving door of legal actions being heard in its court room. As even Emperor Bernardo has weighed in on the manner, stating he’d be forced to retire if the ICA overturned the results of the World Championship.
Thus, the FIA has taken great pains to throw the publicizing of the matter underneath the very ornate rugs of the court jester’s. As the appeal has brought to light the potential embarrassment of FIA Technical Delegate Jo Bauer having made a mistake, or the rules being; “Clear as MUD on a rainy day!”
So the outcome was purposely manipulated, causing the ruling not to be announced until the wee hours of Friday evening in order to keep this story from reaching the presses. As the Wizard of OZ springs to mind.
“Do NOT look behind the Curtain! Do NOT look behind the Curtain! Do NOT look behind the Curtain!"
(Came from a voice eerily similar to Mr. Ecclestone’s)
Therefore the ICA has just ruled on this matter and found McLaren’s appeal inadmissible, as the FIA issued the following statement:
“The FIA International Court of Appeal met in London on Thursday, November 15, 2007, to examine an appeal lodged by the Motor Sports Association (MSA) on behalf of its licence-holder Vodafone McLaren Mercedes against the decision (document 41) of the Panel of the Stewards of the 2007 Brazilian Grand Prix dated 21 October 2007 and counting towards the 2007 FIA Formula One World Championship.
“Following a report from the Technical Delegate indicating that the temperature of fuel pumped into the cars N°9 – Nick Heidfeld, N°10 – Robert Kubica, N°16 – Nico Rosberg and N°17 – Kazuki Nakajima, was more than 10 degrees centigrade below ambient temperature, the Stewards of the Meeting met to consider whether a penalty should be imposed.
“Having heard the evidence they decided not to impose a penalty as they had sufficient doubt as to both the temperature of the fuel on board the car and to the true ambient temperature.
“Having heard the explanations of both parties and having examined the various documents and other evidence, the Court decided that the appeal lodged by Vodafone McLaren Mercedes is inadmissible.
“The International Court of Appeal was presided over by Mr Jan Stovicek (Czech Republic), elected President, and composed of Mr John Cassidy (United States), Mr Vassilis Koussis (Greece) and Mr José Macedo e Cunha (Portugal).”
