Toyota appeals Trulli podium demotion

(GMM) Toyota has filed an appeal against FIA stewards' decision to strip Jarno Trulli of his podium finish in Sunday's Australian grand prix.

The officials had ruled that, after the Italian ran off the Melbourne track during the late safety car period, he then illegally re-passed Lewis Hamilton's McLaren.

A 25-second time penalty dropped Trulli from his third place to just twelfth.

"The team has filed an appeal within the proscribed time period," the Cologne based team announced in a statement.

A disappointed Trulli explained that he only overtook the reigning world champion because Hamilton "suddenly slowed down and pulled over to the side of the road".

"I thought he had a problem," the 34-year-old said, "so I overtook him as there was nothing else I could do."

Said team boss Tadashi Yamashina: "We have filed an appeal to give us more time to study the data and the situation."