FRANCE: MCLAREN DRIVER DAVID COULTHARD APPEARS BEFORE FIA INTERNATIONAL COURT OF APPEAL IN EFFORT TO REGAIN HIS SECOND PLACE AT THE BRAZILIAN GRAND PRIX

Record ID: 190151

  • Title: FRANCE: MCLAREN DRIVER DAVID COULTHARD APPEARS BEFORE FIA INTERNATIONAL COURT OF APPEAL IN EFFORT TO REGAIN HIS SECOND PLACE AT THE BRAZILIAN GRAND PRIX
  • Date: 3rd April 2000
  • Summary: PARIS, FRANCE (APRIL 3, 2000)(REUTERS/VNR ACCESS ALL) 1. EXTERIOR OF FIA INTERNATIONAL COURT OF APPEAL BEING HELD AT FRENCH AUTOMOBILE CLUB HEADQUARTERS 2. (SOUNDBITE) (ENGLISH) DAVID COULTHARD SAYING : We are very happy that we put forward our case in a strong way and also we have to wait for tomorrow to find out the outcome but (we are) very comfortable with the presentation that we made. REPORTER ASKS : What did you explain ? COULTHARD SAYS: Obviously, we can't go into details but we just put forward the case that led to the car not being within regulations at the end of the race, when quite clearly we started the race within regulations ...and unusual circumstances with the very bumpy nature of that track. So hopefully, the FIA will have a positive ruling. Of course, we like to think that we put forward a very strong case, but well have to wait for the decision tomorrow.(The hearing) lasted an hour and a half... reasonably swift. 3. COULTHARD WALKING TO CAR 4. CAR LEAVING (FILE - SPAIN FEBRUARY, 2000)(ACCESS ALL SUBSCRIBERS) 5. WORLD CHAMPION MIKA HAKKINEN AND DAVID COULTHARD UNVEIL 2000 MCLAREN CAR 6. PHOTOGRAPHERS 7. HAKKINEN AND COULTHARD 8. HAKKINEN DRIVES MCLAREN CAR OUT ON JEREZ TRACK Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 18th April 2000 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: PARIS, FRANCE/FILE
  • Country: France
  • Reuters ID: LVAC73I7D3L367WVH8HJAGJ26XIP
  • Story Text: McLaren formula one driver David Coulthard has
    appeared before an international court in an effort to regain
    his second place at the Brazilian Grand Prix.He was
    disqualified after his car was ruled illegal.

    If the appeal succeeds it would give the McLaren team their
    first points of the season and reduce the sizeable lead
    enjoyed by the Ferrari team after two races.

    Coulthard said the team was "comfortable" with the
    presentation that it made to the International Automobile
    Federation (FIA) international court of appeal on Monday
    (April 3).

    The McLaren driver was disqualified by the race stewards
    at Interlagos eight days ago after finishing behind Michael
    Schumacher because his car's front-wings were measured as
    seven millimetres too low after the race.

    The team said immediately after the grand prix that the
    car had been perfectly legal before the race, but the
    exceptionally bumpy track in Brazil had deformed a number of
    components on the car, causing the subsequent infringement.

    "Obviously we have to wait until tomorrow to find out the
    outcome but we're very comfortable with the presentation we
    made," Coulthard said.

    The decision would not be announced until Tuesday, FIA
    spokesman Francesco Longanesi said.

    "Obviously, I can't go into details but we just put
    forward the case that led to the car not being within the
    regulations at the end of the race, when quite clearly it
    started the race within the regulations, and the unusual
    circumstances with the very bumpy nature of that track," he
    said.

    "So, hopefully FIA will have a positive ruling.We'd like
    to think we put forward a strong case but ultimately we have
    to wait for the decision tomorrow."
    McLaren's lawyer Tim Murnane said the team's technical
    manager Martin Whitmarsh spoke first at their hearing and was
    followed by Coulthard.

    Murnane said the team did not bring any car parts as
    evidence but showed photographs and a video of the race to
    explain their case.

    The five-strong appeal panel is headed by Belgian Philippe
    Roberti de Winghe.

    If Coulthard's appeal is upheld he will gain six points
    for the McLaren team -- their first of the season after a
    series of mechanical failures.

    Former world champion Michael Schumacher leads the
    drivers' world championship for Ferrari with 20 points from
    the first two races after also winning the Australian Grand
    Prix.


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