Dennis, Raikkonen Congratulate Jordan

McLaren team boss Ron Dennis has congratulated Italy's Giancarlo Fisichella and his Jordan team after they were declared the winners of Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix, in an unprecedented decision by Formula One's ruling body, the FIA.

McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen, declared the winner at Interlagos before the discovery of a timing discrepancy, was demoted to second place behind the Jordan driver. But the Finn retained his World Championship lead.

"The evidence presented earlier today leaves no doubt that Giancarlo and Jordan are the winners of the Brazilian Grand Prix and I'm pleased that any confusion has now been cleared up," said Dennis.

"It's obviously a shame that neither driver nor team were able to celebrate in Brazil, but knowing Eddie I would imagine that a few pints of the Irish brew will be raised today."

The Jordan team, contesting their 200th Grand Prix, had celebrated wildly on Sunday before Raikkonen was declared the winner of a race delayed by rain and cut short by crashes. Under a countback system, the winner was the driver leading two laps before the halt, initially ruled to be Raikkonen.

Long after the race, Fisichella was found to have started one lap more than the 55 announced on Sunday. Fisichella, whose car caught fire after the race was stopped, had overtaken Raikkonen on lap 54.

It was Fisichella's 110th start and the long overdue win finally banished his reputation as Grand Prix racing's nearly man, a driver recognised by his peers as one of the greatest never to have won a race.

"I would like to congratulate Giancarlo and Jordan Grand Prix on their victory," said Raikkonen. "As I only claimed my maiden win in the Malaysia Grand Prix a few weeks ago, I probably remember better than anyone how special it is and I know that Giancarlo will be very happy.

"I'm sure that there will be more wins for West McLaren Mercedes and myself in the future so I'm not too disappointed."