Skip to main content
CNN.com
Search
Home Asia Europe U.S. World Business Tech Science Entertainment Travel Weather Specials Video I-Reports
Sport News

Spyker protest ruled inadmissible

Adjust font size:
Decrease fontDecrease font
Enlarge fontEnlarge font

SEPANG, Malaysia -- Malaysian Grand Prix stewards have rejected Spyker's protest against rivals Toro Rosso, after deciding they were unable to rule on the matter.

Spyker have claimed that Toro Rosso do not own the intellectual property rights to their chassis and should not be allowed to score points in the constructors' championship.

They have already started arbitration proceedings elsewhere against Toro Rosso and Honda-backed Super Aguri.

The stewards ruled on Friday that, as the so-called 'customer car' row had already gone to arbitration, it should be dealt with by the courts.

"Spyker have made an application for arbitration and must by definition therefore be deemed to accept that a dispute such as this (the grounds of the protest being effectively the same as that matter to be determined in arbitration) does not fall within the range of disputes to be settled under the FIA 2007 Formula One Sporting Code," they said in a statement issued by the governing body.

"It is considered therefore that it would be entirely inappropriate for the stewards to involve themselves in a matter being dealt with at the instigation and election of the protestor, Spyker, in an entirely different forum.

"It follows, that this protest is inadmissible and the protest fee is accordingly returned."

Spyker had produced a photograph for the stewards on Thursday of a component fitted to a Toro Rosso car and one fitted to the car of sister team Red Bull Racing.

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone was trying to organize a team principals meeting in Malaysia in a bid to resolve the row, according to autosport.com, but Toro Rosso boss Gerhard Berger saw no possible compromise.

"Either we are right or we are wrong," he said. "If we are not right, we have to do it different. And if we are right, then we do not have to do anything different.

"I think it is the principle. F1 is not something where in the end you fix something with money. You have a regulation, interpretation, possibilities, you stretch everything to the limits, but it should be right or wrong."


story.berger.gi.jpg

Toro Rosso chief Berger says: "Either we are right or we are wrong."

Advertisement
CNN U.S.
CNN TV How To Get CNN Partner Hotels Contact Us Ad Info About Us Preferences
Search
© 2007 Cable News Network.
A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved.
Terms under which this service is provided to you.
Read our privacy guidelines. Contact us. Site Map.
SERVICES » E-mail RSSRSS Feed PodcastsRadio News Icon CNN Mobile CNN Pipeline
Offsite Icon External sites open in new window; not endorsed by CNN.com
Pipeline Icon Pay service with live and archived video. Learn more