FIA reject BAR appeal

The BAR team made a protest against Raikkonen immediately after the Austrian Grand Prix at the A1-Ring three weeks ago, claiming the Sauber driver overtook the Prost of Luciano Burti while yellow flags were being waved.

The protest was thrown out by the stewards after receiving no reports about Raikkonen from trackside officials. There is a lack of television coverage of the incident and BAR appealed against the steward's decision, which has now been rejected.

"Of course, we accept the judgement of the International Court of Appeal," said BAR team boss Craig Pollock. "Our primary concern was to establish what drivers are allowed to do in the interests of safety in a yellow flag zone."

Had the steward's decision not been upheld, Raikkonen would have been disqualified, allowing BAR's Olivier Panis to move up into fourth place. That would have given the Brackley-based team an extra world championship point, which could be decisive when Honda makes a decision on engine supplies later this month.

The Japanese firm currently supplies both BAR and Jordan, but is believed to be reducing that to only one outfit next year. It is thought Honda will decide which team it is to continue with after next weekend's Canadian Grand Prix according to positions in the Constructors' standings. Jordan is currently ahead by one point.

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FIA reject BAR appeal

Motorsport's governing body, the FIA, has upheld the stewards' decision from the Austrian Grand Prix that Kimi Raikkonen did not overtake under yellow flags, following an appeal from the British American Racing team