» Mercedes won’t appeal for Schumacher penalty

Mercedes GP has decided not to appeal the post-race penalty dished out to Michael Schumacher by the Monaco Grand Prix stewards, deeming their decision to be “in the best interests of the sport” despite “[not being] happy with the outcome.”

Mercedes GP followed due process governed by the FIA in lodging its intention to appeal the decision of a 20-second time penalty – dropping Schumacher from 5th to 12th in the standings – within one hour of the decision being meted out, but then electing not to proceed in formally lodging the appeal within the required 48-hour period thereafter.

The team acknowledge in its media statement that several teams may have been of the same opinion that the drivers could race in the final corners of the last lap – indeed, the number of drivers kicking their cars’ tails out would seem to indicate this! – and added that its interpretation of the Safety Car rule would be discussed in the next meeting of the Sporting Working Group.

The FIA has also agreed to listen to Mercedes GP’s view that the 20-second time penalty for “disproportionate”.

Certainly many of our readers felt the same, with 54% of you agreeing that the penalty imposed to Schumacher was not justified.