McLaren Ferrari battle continues

(22-Jul-98) - The week following the Austrian GP will be the most crucial
seven days of this year's Formula 1 World Championship battle.

McLaren's appeal against Michael Schumacher's British Grand Prix victory
will be heard by the FIA on July 29.

That is three days after this weekend's Austrian Grand Prix and just two
before practice begins for the German race at Hockenheim.

The appeal, and the two races that sandwich it, leave a crucial number of
points up for grabs. If McLaren loses its appeal, and Schumacher takes
victory in both Austria and Germany, he could be 18 points clear by the end
of the seven-day period.

If McLaren is successful, and Hakkinen wins the two forthcoming races, he
would be a massive 26 points clear with five events to go.

Neither scenario can be ruled out completely, but Schumacher is confident
that Ferrari will face no penalty for the mistakes of the race stewards at
Silverstone.

McLaren, however, feels confident enough to take the matter to the appeal
court. Few people have ever won an FIA appeal, but McLaren has little to
lose - only the œ3000 appeal fee.

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