4 Apr 2009

World champion disqualified from Australian grand prix

7:02 am on 4 April 2009

The world motor racing champion Lewis Hamilton has been disqualified from last weekend's Australian Grand prix for "deliberately misleading" stewards after the race in Melbourne.

After a meeting at the Malaysian Grand Prix the stewards said they considered both Hamilton and his McLaren team had provided "deliberately misleading" evidence to stewards at a hearing that promoted the Briton to third place.

Jarno Trulli has been reinstated to the podium after he'd been penalised 25 seconds on the day for illegally overtaking Hamilton while the safety car was deployed in the final two laps.

The matter was re-opened after the emergence of "new elements" understood to involve radio communications and comments Hamilton made to reporters about the incident.

It's been suggested in some media reports that Hamilton was at least "economical with the truth" at the original inquiry.

The FIA have warned Hamilton and the McLaren team they could face further sanctions.