Ferrari lawyer accuses McLaren of ‘shameless hypocrisy’
In the run-up to the Court of Appeal hearing into the ‘cool fuel’ row, McLaren officials – including Hamilton – insisted they did not want to win the title in the courtroom.
But that was in stark contrast to the submissions of lawyer, Ian Mill QC, who called for a reclassification of the championship.
That led to a sharp retort from Ferrari’s legal representative, Nigel Tozzi QC, defending the interests of the team and of Kimi Raikkonen who claimed the crown on the track.
“This is not the way a Formula One world championship should be won,” insisted Tozzi towards the end of the four-hour tribunal, with a verdict due today.
“Mr Hamilton himself, potentially the only beneficiary, has said very clearly he does not want to win the championship this way.
“It could be said McLaren are shameless hypocrites devoid of any integrity, or maybe what their representatives have said should be taken at face value.
“If what they want is clarity, then by all means let them have that, but do not allow them to have the world championship this way.”
“It would be a serious injustice to Mr Raikkonen should the world title be taken away from him, a fact recognised by Mr Hamilton and Mr (Fernando) Alonso.”
On the evidence presented, it appears extremely unlikely Hamilton will be handed the title, so bringing the curtain down on the most dramatic of seasons.
McLaren had appealed the verdict of the stewards at the season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix not to punish BMW Sauber and Williams for fuel irregularities.
Hamilton could only finish seventh behind race-winner Raikkonen at Interlagos, missing out on the championship by a point.
If the four judges presiding over the case opt to disqualify Nico Rosberg, Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld, who finished fourth, fifth and sixth respectively, they could also opt to promote Hamilton up the order, so handing him the title.
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