Written by:
SPEED Staff / GMM
03/29/2009
Melbourne (AUS)
Jarno Trulli may lose his podium finish in the Australian Grand Prix.
An incident also involving Lewis Hamilton, who finished behind the Toyota driver in fourth place, is currently being investigated by the stewards at Albert Park.
At one point during the final safety car period on Sunday, world champion Hamilton's McLaren was ahead of the Italian, reportedly because Trulli ran off the circuit.
McLaren is now hoping Trulli will be handed a 25-second time penalty, because he re-passed Hamilton following his off, which is not allowed behind the safety car.
If the stewards agree, Trulli would drop out of the points, while Hamilton is promoted to third position in the official classification.
"Lewis had to go past him (Trulli) because he went onto the grass, he was not on the circuit," McLaren team boss Martin Whitmarsh said.
"Trulli then took back the place under the safety car, which ordinarily you wouldn't do. The FIA are looking at it and we'll doubtless have a ruling in due course," he added.
Trulli told the world's media after the race that, after having to climb through the field from his pitlane start, Toyota proved it has built a "fantastic car" for this season.
Play the new Super 7 Sweep Fantasy Racing powered by Wind Tunnel
