The FIA International Court of Appeal met in Paris on Monday, July 23, 2007, to examine an appeal lodged on behalf of Seat Sport Italia in relation to a Stewards' decision taken during the World Touring Car Championship at an event run at Porto (P) on 7-8 July 2007.

At the event, the Stewards imposed the following penalties:

1) Non-respect of the yellow flag: fine and drop of 10 grid positions for Race 1 of the next event;
2) Cause of avoidable collision: cancellation of all times and drop of 10 grid positions for Race 2 of the next event;
3) Physically pushing another driver on the track: fine of €3,000.

Having heard the explanations of both parties and having examined the various documents and other evidence, the Court:

1) Confirmed the Steward's first decision;
2) Quashed the second decision of the Panel of the Stewards on the grounds that the driver, Colciago, had not been solely responsible for the collision;
3) Doubled the fine imposed on the competitor in relation to the third decision, such an aggressive attitude being unacceptable during or at the end of an event.

The International Court of Appeal was presided over by Mr Jan STOVICEK (Czech Republic), elected President, and composed of Mr Xavier CONESA (Spain), Mr Anthony SCRIVENER (Great Britain) and Mr Jean-François VEROUX (France).

The full text of the International Court of Appeal’s decision is available, on request, from the secretariat of the FIA International Court of Appeal in Paris.