A special auto racing tribunal, originally called...

A special auto racing tribunal, originally called to hear the complaints of Britain’s Nigel Mansell, instead will convene Friday to rule on an appeal of the results of the Japanese Grand Prix by Brazil’s Ayrton Senna and the McLaren-Honda team.

The tribunal’s decision either will confirm Frenchman Alain Prost as the Formula One racing champion or prolong the battle for the title into the final race of the season, the Australian Grand Prix at Adelaide.

Senna was first across the finish line at the Japanese Grand Prix Sunday, but he was disqualified for having avoided part of a curve as he headed into the pits after a crash with his McLaren-Honda teammate and bitter rival, Prost.