ON THE SIDELINES : Panel Delays Hearing on Senna

An auto racing appeals tribunal today postponed until next week its decision on the disqualification of Brazil’s Ayrton Senna in the Japanese Grand Prix.

Senna, defending Formula One world driving champion, was first across the finish line in last Sunday’s race but was disqualified for avoiding a curve after a crash with McLaren-Honda teammate Alain Prost of France.

Senna trails Prost in this year’s standings and will not repeat as champion unless his appeal is upheld, restoring his first-place finish, and unless he also wins the last race of the season, the Australian Grand Prix on Nov. 5.

Jacques Sarrut, director general of the International Automobile Federation, said the appeals panel heard from the parties involved today but decided to postpone a decision at least until Tuesday.