McLaren seek court victory but not title

McLaren will today send a high-powered legal delegation into a London courtroom to argue over the world championship they say they do not want Lewis Hamilton to win.

The British team say they have triggered the FIA's Court of Appeal hearing to seek 'clarification' over apparent irregularities during last month's title-deciding Brazilian Grand Prix.

They claim Williams and BMW gained a small advantage by using fuel which was a few degrees below the lower temperature limit.

Three of the beneficiaries, Nico Rosberg, Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld, finished above Hamilton, who fell one point short of champion Kimi Raikkonen.

If Williams and BMW are found guilty, Hamilton could be promoted from seventh to fourth place and usurp Ferrari's Raikkonen.

But McLaren's chief operating officer, Martin Whitmarsh, said: 'Like all true devotees of motor sport we would never like to see a drivers' championship decided in court. Finding a way to award the title to Lewis is not at all what this is about.'

Ferrari, BMW and Williams are expected to object that McLaren's appeal is invalid.