November 18, 2007	Sunday	Ziqa’ad 07, 1428

LONDON, Nov 17: Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen was confirmed as 2007 Formula One world champion on Friday after a court rejected a McLaren appeal that could have handed Lewis Hamilton the title instead.

The governing International Automobile Federation’s (FIA) independent court of appeal, whose four judges met in London for the hearing on Thursday, said McLaren’s protest had been rejected.

“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,” it said.

McLaren had appealed against the decision of stewards at last month’s season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix not to penalise BMW Sauber and Williams drivers after an enquiry into temperature irregularities.

Finland’s Raikkonen, who won at Interlagos on Oct. 21, beat 22-year-old Hamilton by a single point. Hamilton, who would have been the youngest champion as well as the first rookie to take the title, had been favourite for the crown before his lead evaporated in the last two races in China and Brazil.

The Briton finished seventh in the final race, behind BMW Sauber’s Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica and Williams’ Nico Rosberg.—Reuters