Stewart backs Hamilton to overcome FIA decision

Published on Thursday 25 September 2008 10:10

SIR JACKIE STEWART believes Lewis Hamilton will turn the latest FIA farce to his advantage this weekend.

Hamilton's hopes of taking a seven-point lead into Formula One's first night race in Singapore on Sunday were yesterday quashed. The International Court of Appeal ruled McLaren's protest into the retrospective 25-second drive-through penalty handed to Hamilton at the Belgian Grand Prix earlier this month was inadmissible.

The 23-year-old conceded to being "disappointed but not depressed" at an outcome that has been viewed with derision in some quarters. But three-times former Formula One world champion Stewart feels Hamilton will use the decision to spur him on.

"It's a disappointing verdict, and I would have thought if it was inadmissible they would have said so earlier," Stewart said.

"But then FIA appeals are not famous for being won by the teams or drivers. The FIA never seem to overturn these kind of decisions. However, it was a very poor decision by the stewards in the first place. Niki Lauda and I have both been of the very strong opinion Lewis Hamilton did not do anything wrong.

"But despite what has happened this week, I am sure he will not let it affect him in any way.

"I am sure he will use what was nothing more than a setback in a positive manner because at the end of the day he is still in the lead in the championship.

"With four races to go he will head into the first of those this weekend wanting to win, the same for the next race in Japan. Beyond that for the last two races, much will depend on what has happened with Felipe Massa, Robert Kubica and Kimi Raikkonen."

Not for the first time, though, this latest decision from the FIA has left an unsavoury taste in the mouth of Stewart.

"I've said it before, but the governance of Formula One has to change, and what took place this week is the latest example to highlight that," insisted Stewart.

"The inconsistency of the decision making is not correct for a sport that has such incredible investment involved in it.

"We need the appointment of full-time stewards."