Official: Toyota withdraws its appeal on Trulli’s penalty

Toyota has decided to withdraw its appeal against the penalty on Jarno Trulli, which cost him the podium at the Australian Grand Prix.

He finished third in this race, but the stewards added 25 seconds to his finish time as a penalty, instead of a drive-through penalty, for overtaking Lewis Hamilton under the safety car period. The Italian dropped to 12th place in the first event of the season.

The Toyota driver left the track at the penultimate corner of the circuit, allowing Hamilton to pass him while the Safety Car was in action. Subsequently, to regain the position he had lost, Trulli found himself in violation of the regulations.

Toyota immediately wanted to appeal the stewards’ decision, but its first attempt was rejected because this penalty is the equivalent of a drive-through, which cannot be appealed.

The team then brought the matter to the directors of the Australian Grand Prix, but after deliberating the situation, the team decided to forgo its action. This means Hamilton will retain his third place.

According to a statement released by Toyota: « After reviewing recent decisions by the International Court of Appeal and referring to the Sporting Code, Toyota believes any appeal will be dismissed under Article 152, paragraph 5, of the Sporting Code. »

« On this basis, Toyota Motorsport decided that it would be pointless to continue this procedure. »