Lewis Hamilton, and his McLaren racing team, have been stripped of their third place podium finish at the
Australian Grand Prix. They had actually finished fourth in the race, but were promoted to third after Toyota's Jarno Trulli was penalized for overtaking Hamilton under safety-car conditions. But now the stewards and the race director Charlie Whiting have found Lewis Hamilton and his team manager, David Ryan, guilty of a breach of Article 151c of the International Sporting Code. From the
transcript of the radio communication between Lewis and his team it was clear that there had been an instruction given to Hamilton to allow Jarno Trulli to overtake:
Lewis Hamilton: The Toyota went off in a line at the second corner, I overtook him, is that OK?
Team: Understood, Lewis. We'll confirm and get back to you.
Lewis Hamilton: He was off the track. He went wide.
Team: Lewis, you need to allow the Toyota through. Allow the Toyota through now.Lewis Hamilton: OK....He's slowed right down in front of me.
Team: OK, Lewis. Stay ahead for the time being. Stay ahead. We will get back to you. We are talking to Charlie.
Lewsi Hamilton: I let him past already.
Team: OK, Lewis. That's fine. That's fine. Hold position. Hold position.
Lewis Hamilton: Tell Charlie I already overtook him. I just let him past.
Team: I understand Lewis. We are checking. Now can we go to yellow G 5, yellow Golf 5.
Lewis Hamilton: I don't have to let him past I should be able to take that position back, if he made a mistake.Team: Yes, we understand Lewis. Let's just do it by the book. We are asking Charlie now. You are in P4. If you hold this position. Just keep it together...
...Team: OK, Lewis, this is the last lap. At the end of the lap the safety car will come in,
you just proceed over the line without overtaking, without overtaking. We are looking into the Trulli thing, but just hold position.

Lewis Hamilton (photo: Mark Horsburgh/Reuters) has been stripped of his podium finish and has been docked all his points. The FIA has not ruled out taking further action against the driver and his McLaren team.