FIA To Investigate Brazil GP Result

By Phil Huff
April 9 2003

The result of Sunday's Brazilian GP will depend on the outcome of a meeting of the timekeepers and stewards, to be held at the FIA headquarters in Paris, scheduled for this Friday.

A statement from the FIA reads "The FIA has received evidence which suggests that, contrary to the information supplied by the time-keepers at the Brazilian Grand Prix, car no. 11 (Fisichella) had started his 56th lap before the race was stopped. If this proves to be the case, the race classification would be that at the end of the 54th lap and not at the end of the 53rd lap as published.

"In accordance with Article 179(b) of the International Sporting Code, the stewards of the Brazilian Grand Prix will re-convene on Friday 11 April at 11.00 hrs at the FIA headquarters in Paris to review the results of the event. All competitors who would be affected by any change to the classification are being invited to attend."

Should the result change in Jordan's favour, it will be the teams fourth win, coinciding with their 200th GP. Significantly, it will be Giancarlo Fisichella's first win after 5 second places.

A McLaren spokesperson has said the team will stand by the final decision of the timekeepers and therefore should the result go in favour of Giancarlo Fisichella the Woking team would not protest the decision.

Meanwhile, a Jordan spokeswoman said "Jordan Grand Prix has received the FIA statement concerning the results of the Brazilian Grand Prix, which is in keeping with the team's evidence. The team awaits the outcome of the stewards' meeting on Friday 11 April."