Sauber lifted by Trulli disqualification

Sauber's Nick Heidfeld was promoted to fifth place after Sunday's race Keystone

Switzerland's Sauber motor racing team have gained an additional point from Sunday's Grand Prix race in Indianopolis, following the disqualification of Jordan Honda driver Jarno Trulli.

Trulli crossed the finish line in fourth place but was later dropped to last position after a post-race inspection found the wooden skid plate beneath his car was too thin.

The Jordan team said they would be appealing against the race stewards’ decision.

The Italian driver’s disqualification meant that Sauber’s German driver Nick Heidfeld was moved up from sixth to fifth place, taking the Swiss team’s tally for the season to 22.

Happy Heidfeld

“Originally I expected more from this race,” Heidfeld said after learning of Trulli’s misfortune. “But in the circumstances I am happy to score two valuable points for fifth place, because I lost first, second and seventh gears soon after my first stop.”

Trulli’s disqualification may have given Sauber’s other driver Kimi Räikkönen some satisfaction. The young Finn, who is set to join McLaren-Mercedes next season, was forced out during the third lap of Sunday’s race after an early collision with the Jordan driver.

The decision against Trulli has also greatly enhanced Sauber’s chances of finishing fourth in the constructors championship, behind the Formula One giants of Ferrari, McLaren-Mercedes and Williams-BMW.

One race remaining

Prior to Trulli’s disqualification, Jordan had been just two points behind the Swiss team going into the final race of the season in Japan on October 14. Now Sauber have a five-point cushion over both Jordan and their other nearest rivals, BAR-Honda.

Sunday’s race was won by McLaren’s Mika Häkkinen, with Germany’s Michael Schumacher driving his Ferrari into second place. Schumacher has already clinched the overall drivers championship.

swissinfo with agencies