Hamilton loses Belgian appeal

PARIS: Lewis Hamilton on Tuesday lost his appeal to have his win at the Belgian Grand Prix reinstated after the FIA ruling body confirmed a 25-second sanction against him for cutting a chicane.

Hamilton, the current Formula One championship leader, appeared before the Paris tribunal on Monday and gave a spirited defense of his actions after the British McLaren driver was adjudged to have cut a chicane during a duel with Finnish rival Kimi Raikkonen in the closing laps.

Race officials at Spa-Francorchamps overturned his win and demoted him to third in the belief that he had gained an unfair advantage.