Theissen wants fuel rule clarification

McLaren appealed against the decision of the FIA race stewards not to punish the BMW Sauber and Williams teams for using fuel that was colder than the maximum 10 degrees centigrade below ambient in the Brazilian Grand Prix.

But their appeal was rejected as 'inadmissible' - which means that Kimi Raikkonen can now be confirmed as world champion.

Theissen was pleased that closure has finally been brought on what has been a controversial season in Formula One.

"Obviously I am happy that this issue is closed and it is the expected outcome," he said.

When asked by autosport.com if he was frustrated that an 'inadmissible' appeal had gone as far as the FIA's International Court of Appeal rather than being rejected on Sunday night in Brazil, Theissen said: "No, not on our side. If the verdict had been different there would have been frustration."

But despite welcoming the appeal court's decision, Theissen said that the case had thrown up uncertainties about the fuel temperature regulations that needed resolving before the start of next year.

"It has become quite clear that the regulations state a very precise difference of temperature of 10 degrees (centigrade) but they do not define precisely how and when the two reference points are taken," said Theissen.

"That is the issue and in my view it should not have gone to the Court of Appeal but to the Technical Working Group in order for the technical directors to come up with a clear regulation on how to do it in the future."

When asked if the matter needs to be resolved before the 2008 season, Theissen said: "Absolutely."