Toyota has not yet initiated its appeal process

The FIA has still not received confirmation of an appeal request from Toyota, which would contest the penalty imposed on Jarno Trulli. This cost him the podium at the Australian Grand Prix.

A brief reminder of the facts: Trulli overtook Lewis Hamilton while the safety car was deployed. The only aim for the Italian was to regain his position lost a few seconds earlier due to running off the track.

The race stewards penalized Trulli with 25 seconds on the race result, but since the Grand Prix ended under the Safety Car, all drivers crossed the finish line with only a few seconds between them. Therefore, the Toyota driver drops from third place to 12th overall. This turn of events gives third place to Lewis Hamilton.

Although Toyota tried to appeal this decision, the stewards deemed the request inadmissible, similar to McLaren’s appeal regarding Hamilton at the last Belgian Grand Prix.

However, Toyota has reportedly decided to lodge a complaint at a higher level with the race direction of the Australian Grand Prix.

A spokesperson for the FIA stated today that the Board is now awaiting a final confirmation of an appeal from Toyota, which would likely result in a hearing by the FIA’s International Court of Appeal.

« Toyota announced its intentions to appeal to the Court clerk last night. The team reminded that the commissioners, as last season at Spa-Francorchamps, could not receive an appeal regarding one of their decisions. They have a total of 48 hours to initiate an appeal process, » stated the FIA spokesperson »