No So Fast: Formula One Win Rescinded

Hours after the Ferrari team had received its trophies and sprayed its drivers with champagne, the organizers of the Malaysian Grand Prix had a message:

Never mind.

Mika Hakkinen was declared the winner of the inaugural race Sunday and was awarded the Formula One drivers’ title after the top two Ferraris were disqualified.

Ferrari teammates Eddie Irvine and Michael Schumacher crossed the finish line first and second. But more than three hours after the race, they were disqualified for technical violations.

Ferrari appealed and a ruling is expected today at the Swiss headquarters of the International Automobile Federation. If Ferrari loses its appeal, Hakkinen wins not only the race but the world title for the second consecutive year.

Formula One authorities said the bodywork of the Ferraris violated rules affecting aerodynamics and the speed of the cars.

“The car was in exactly the same technical shape as it was in the last Grand Prix in Nurburgring, Germany,” said Jean Todt, Ferrari’s team manager. “And this car has been scrutinized every day here.”

Hakkinen needed to win the Malaysian Grand Prix, with Irvine fifth or worse, to retain his world crown.