Hakkinen's third place protested by Williams

Autosport reported today that Williams is protesting Mika Hakkinen's result in Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix. They want the Finn disqualified for passing two cars when the Safety Car was out. Hakkinen had spun on an opening lap and attempted to rejoin the field, but tried to regain his fifth starting position by overtaking Pedro Diniz and Heinz-Harald Frentzen. Under the rules, this is forbidden unless permitted to do so, and Hakkinen was penalized a one-race ban that is suspended over the next two rounds.

Williams, who are needing every point they can get to catch Ferrari in the championship, would be benefitted two points if their protest is approved and Hakkinen is disqualified, with Frentzen moving up to third and Villeneuve to fifth. The remaining point position would be filled by seventh-place finisher Gerhard Berger. _________________________________________________

John Klender Proxis Grand Prix http://members.aol.com/proxbullet