Zoom Stewards unimpressed with the world champion

Contrary to McLaren's denial, the FIA late on Thursday insisted the team and Lewis Hamilton misled the stewards during an inquiry at Albert Park last Sunday.

The reigning world champion has been disqualified from the results of the event, having told the stewards that Jarno Trulli illegally overtook him under the safety car towards the end of the Melbourne race.

A statement issued by the FIA reveals that stewards asked Hamilton and Team Manager David Ryan 'specifically' whether the British driver was instructed to allow Trulli's Toyota to pass him.

"Both the driver and the Team Manager stated that no such instruction had been given," the FIA said.

"The Race Director specifically asked Hamilton whether he had consciously allowed Trulli to overtake. Hamilton insisted that he had not done so," the statement added.

Also released by the governing body on Thursday was a recording of a post-race media interview, in which Hamilton admitted that McLaren told him to let Trulli pass.

The FIA also published audio and text transcripts of radio conversations between Hamilton and the pitwall, where the team told its driver: "Allow the Toyota through now."

The FIA said the stewards feel "strongly that they had been misled" by Hamilton and McLaren "which led to Jarno Trulli being unfairly penalised and Lewis Hamilton gaining third place."

E.A, Source: GMM
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