Stewards strip Hamilton of Spa victory

Sunday, 07 September 2008 17:22

Lewis Hamilton has had his Belgian Grand Prix victory overturned by the stewards, handing the win to title rival Felipe Massa, who finished second on the road.

Hamilton was given a 25-second penalty for cutting the Bus Stop chicane during his wheel-to-wheel battle for the lead with Kimi Raikkonen during the closing laps.

Although the McLaren driver appeared to lift off and was repassed by Raikkonen on the exit of the corner, the stewards ruled that he had gained an advantage by short-cutting the circuit.

"The stewards, having received a report from the race director and having met with the drivers and team managers involved, have...determine a breach of the regulations has been committed by the competitor and impose the penalty referred to," said an FIA statement.

Hamilton was deemed to have "cut the chicane and gained an advantage", thereby breaching Article 30.3(a) of the sporting regulations and Appendix L chapter 4 Article 2 (g) of the International Sporting Code.

With 25 seconds added to his race time, Hamilton has dropped to third in the classification behind BMW Sauber’s Nick Heidfeld.

The decision brings about a six-point swing in Massa's favour in the championship standings, reducing Hamilton's lead from eight to two points.

Raikkonen crashed out of the race on the penultimate lap and is now 19 points behind Hamilton with five rounds remaining.


Revised Belgian Grand Prix result

1. MASSA Ferrari

2. HEIDFELD BMW

3. HAMILTON McLaren*
4. ALONSO Renault
5. VETTEL Toro Rosso
6. KUBICA BMW
7. BOURDAIS Toro Rosso
8. WEBBER Red Bull
9. GLOCK Toyota*
10. KOVALAINEN McLaren
11. COULTHARD Red Bull

12. ROSBERG Williams

13. SUTIL Force India
14. NAKAJIMA Williams

15. BUTTON Honda

16. TRULLI Toyota

17. FISICHELLA Force India

R. RAIKKONEN Ferrari

R. BARRICHELLO Honda

R. PIQUET Renault

*25-second time penalty

Hamilton leaves Spa having had his victory revoked but still wearing his winner's hat