Hamilton stripped of third place

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: Reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton was disqualified from the Australian Formula One Grand Prix yesterday for giving misleading evidence to race stewards.

The McLaren driver was awarded third place after the season-opening GP when stewards ruled Toyota's Jarno Trulli breached regulations by passing Hamilton during a safety car period in Melbourne on Sunday.

Trulli was reinstated to his original third-place finish yesterday, while Hamilton and McLaren were excluded from the results and receive no points.