FORMULA ONE

• McLaren Belgian GP appeal date set

  
  

  Monza, Italy (Sports Network) - Formula One's international court of appeal will meet September 22 to hear McLaren's appeal against a 25-second penalty that cost Lewis Hamilton the victory in last Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix.

  F1's governing body, the International Automobile Federation (FIA), confirmed Friday that the hearing will take place in Paris six days before the Singapore Grand Prix. A decision is expected the following day.

  Hamilton and Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen were involved in an epic late-race battle that sparked a controversial finish in the Belgian GP. Hamilton was originally declared the winner at the 4.352-mile Spa-Francorchamps circuit, but shortly after the finish, race stewards penalized Hamilton 25 seconds for cutting a chicane and gaining an advantage on then-leader Raikkonen with three laps to go.

  Raikkonen's teammate, Felipe Massa, crossed the finish line second but was credited with the victory after Hamilton was dropped to third place. Nick Heidfeld moved up to second.

  Hamilton holds just a two-point lead over Massa in the World Championship standings with five races to go in the season. F1 will run the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday.

  09/12 20:48:51 ET