Thanks Redragon.
Now, ladies and gentlemen - if we may now move along - I have plenty more to show you.
Presenting,
Exhibit A: Article 174 (d) of the International Sporting Code
Protests against any error or irregularity occurring during a competition, referring to the non-compliance of vehicles with the regulations and concerning the classification established at the end of the event shall, except in circumstances which the stewards of the meeting consider as physically impossible, be made within thirty minutes of the official publication of the results.
Some of you may recall that when McLaren in Brazil 2007 tried to lodge a protest against what they thought was illegally cooled fuel. It was declared inadmissible, because instead of protesting the race classification within 30 minutes of publication, they decided to protest against a steward decision.
If Ferrari were going to protest the results of the Brazilian Grand Prix, they should have done the same thing, but obviously they haven’t.
To my understanding, at this point in time, the only way this can be investigated now is if the FIA chooses to do so.
Which leads me to
Exibit B: Article 179bis (Right of review) of the International Sporting Code
If, in events forming part of a FIA Championship, a new element is discovered, whether or not the stewards of the meeting have already given a ruling, these stewards of the meeting or, failing this, those designated by the FIA, must meet on a date agreed amongst themselves, summoning the party or parties concerned to hear any relevant explanations and to judge in the light of the facts and elements brought before them.
The right of appeal against this new decision is confined to the party or parties concerned in accordance with the final paragraph of Article 180 and the following Articles of this Code.
Should the first decision already have been the subject of an appeal before the National Court of Appeal or before the International Court of Appeal, or successively before both of these courts, the case shall be lawfully submitted to them for the possible revision of their previous decision. The International Court of Appeal may take up the review of a case that it has judged, either on its own initiative or upon an appeal in review brought by the FIA President or by one of the parties concerned and/or directly affected by its former decision.
The period during which an appeal in review may be brought expires on 30 November of the year during which the decision that is liable to review has been handed down, if that decision is likely to have an effect on the result of a championship.
In conclusion: So Ferrari can no longer lodge a protest, but if the FIA choose to, they can investigate this one. The deadline is tomorrow, so we don't have to wait long for the outcome.
