McLaren rule out calls for leniency

Ferrari had its first and second places - scored by Eddie Irvine and Michael Schumacher respectively - ruled out after it was discovered that an airflow board was a centimetre too short.

The disqualification means that Mika Hakkinen is the provisional world champion.

However, if the decision to disqualify Ferrari is overruled, Irvine will overtake Hakkinen at the top of the title race.

A McLaren said, 'The more important the outcome of the race, the more important it is that the rules are applied consistently and fairly in accordance with the procedures which have been strictly adhered to in the past.'

McLaren officials plan to attend Friday's appeal at the Place de la Concorde.

They added, 'The fact the outcome of the Malaysian Grand Prix can decide the world championship is irrelevant.

'The court of appeal have confirmed that the rules say the absence of a performance advantage is no defence.'