McLaren appeals Hamilton penalty

[September 10, 2008]  WOKING, England (AP) -- McLaren has appealed the time penalty that cost Lewis Hamilton the win at the Belgian Grand Prix.

Race stewards penalized Hamilton 25 seconds for cutting across a chicane to overtake then-leader Kimi Raikkonen during the closing stages of the race.

McLaren's appeal was announced Tuesday by McLaren chief executive Martin Whitmarsh.

Hamilton was demoted to third place and Felipe Massa of Ferrari wound up the winner on Sunday.

Hamilton's championship lead over Massa was cut to two points.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.