It is understood that McLaren may opt to withdraw its appeal against the 25s penalty imposed on Lewis Hamilton following Sunday's Belgian GP, a move which demoted the Englishman from first to third.

Despite strong emotions within the team, and a growing sense of anger and frustration in the media and among fans, the British team may opt to take the blow on the chin and focus solely on the Italian Grand Prix and beyond. There is also the fact that, historically, teams rarely win such appeals.

The Woking outfit clearly disagrees with the Stewards decision, claiming that Hamilton had slowed down after the chicane. Furthermore, in a brief post-race discussion, when the team asked (FIA Safety Delegate) for his view on the matter, he is understood to have said that he saw nothing incorrect take place.

Following the Stewards' announcement, there has been a mounting outcry, particularly among race fans, with many pointing to the inconsistency of such decisions. The fact that it was a Ferrari driver who benefitted clearly hasn't helped, leading to fresh claims of bias towards the Italian team at the FIA.

Those that feel that Hamilton broke the rules, and feel that a punishment was in order, are mystified as to why - since it was too late in the race to serve a drive through - the Englishman couldn't have been a time or grid penalty for the Italian race this weekend.

Suggestions that in future the podium ceremony might be delayed until the final race result is known are a waste of time. For the powers that be, the podium ceremony is all important, those few minutes in the spotlight for various 'local' dignitaries' are one of the main reasons some countries are paying as much as £25m to host a race.