Jordan Win Appeal

Jordan have belatedly clinched fifth place in this year's Formula One World Championship, after winning their appeal over Jarno Trulli's disqualification from the United States Grand Prix.

Following a motor racing court of appeal on Friday, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) said in a statement on Saturday that they would annul the Trulli disqualification on the grounds of "a breach of the right of defence."

The court of appeal met to decide whether Jordan or British American Racing (BAR) finished fifth in the Formula One Championship.

"The international court of appeal has allowed the appeal of Jordan Grand Prix on the grounds that a steward was absent during the hearing of the team at the United States Grand Prix," the FIA statement read.

"The court found this was a breach of article 134 of the International Sporting Code (which provides that all decisions by the college of stewards should be taken collectively) and thus a breach of the right of defence."

Team boss Eddie Jordan said: "We are very satisfied with the outcome of the appeal and delighted to have our fifth place in the 2001 World Championship for constructors confirmed."

Jordan wanted to overturn the disqualification of Trulli from fourth place at the US Grand Prix, a decision that cost them two points and fifth place in the Constructors' standings.

Trulli's disqualification would have cost Jordan three points, but teammate Jean Alesi moved up to claim sixth place in the race.

Trulli was excluded after his Jordan's skid block failed a post-race technical inspection, but his team always argued that his car sustained damage in a scrape with the Sauber of Kimi Raikkonen.

Jordan's successful appeal lifted the Silverstone-based team into fifth place in the final Constructors' standings on 19 points, above Honda rivals BAR who slip to sixth.

In the drivers' Championship Trulli, who is joining Renault next season, rises to joint eighth with BAR's Jacques Villeneuve from 10th, while Alesi drops back to equal 14th from 13th.