Wednesday October 20th, 1999

The FIA released today the following statement:

"The FIA has noted a number of press reports attributing statements to the President of the FIA, to Mr. Ecclestone and to well-known personalities from inside and outside motor sport, commenting on Ferrari's appeal against exclusion from the results of the Malaysian Grand Prix.

"This appeal will be heard on Friday 22 October in Paris, by five judges, each from a different country whose identities will be kept secret until the hearing. All five are completely independent of anyone involved in motor sport, including Formula One, and are experienced lawyers or judges in their own countries. All have had a motor sport background but are no longer involved in any way.

The FIA would like to stress that these judges will not be influenced by any outside opinion, irrespective of the person who expresses it. They will decide the case solely on the basis of the evidence and arguments put forward during the hearing."