McLaren's hearing date has been set

The 2007 Formula 1 season will have a last throw of the dice on 15th November. Not on the track but, to follow the pattern of the year, in the FIA court.

After the Brazilian Grand Prix, both the Williams and BMW cars were found to have been running fuel outside the permitted temperature. The fuel entered the cars lower than the permitted ten degrees Celsius lower than the ambient temperature at the fuel stops. This allows for faster refuelling and a 5 to 10 BHP engine boost for a few laps.

The Williams and BMW teams argued that there are two sources of information of the ambient temperature, the FIA timing screens and the French Meteorological office which provides weather readings for viewers. These differ from time to time and the Meteorological office readings were higher than the time screens. The teams also argued that the temperature would be higher by the time the fuel entered the car. The stewards at the race agreed with the uncertainty and back Williamsddd and BMW.

I understand that McLaren will show that advice from the FIA earlier in the year stated that the FIA timing screens are used as the basis for the ambient temperature readings. Also there is an FIA thermometer on each fuel rig to monitor the fuel temperature to police this regulation.

It appears to me that Williams and BMW do not have a leg to stand on. If their cars are thrown out of the Brazilian result, in theory, Lewis Hamilton will be promoted to fourth and the winner of the driver's World Championship. However, I find it hard to believe that the FIA will allow Lewis to be champion after the event. They may only discard the constructors points or choose to keep Lewis in seventh place. Given the FIA's perceived bias towards Ferrari, this would seem the likely outcome, even if it seems unfair.

The time has come to change some of the regulators of F1. I think Max Mosley should resign as he can no longer provide any confidence of equanimity of treatment of the teams when problems arise. Incidentally, he should resign anyway for his outrageous remarks regarding Sir Jackie Stewart. Also, it is time to have professional stewards at each race who can provide consistent rulings during and post race.

How about Eddie Jordan as FIA president?

Squiffy.