Hamilton decision means title will be won on track

On paper, the decision to reject McLaren's bid to have Lewis Hamilton reinstated as winner of the Belgian Grand Prix will be seen as a victory for Formula One's rule makers.

It means the world championship will be fought for, and won, by drivers racing on the track rather than by lawyers standing before a bench full of judges.

The FIA International Court of Appeal judgement, that McLaren's plea to overturn Hamilton's demotion from first to third at Spa earlier this month was inadmissable, upholds the power of race stewards to impose instant justice.

Hamilton will now take only a one-point championship lead over Ferrari rival Felipe Massa going into Sunday's Singapore Grand Prix - F1's first night race - rather than holding a seven-point advantage had his overtaking manoeuvre on Kimi Raikkonen been deemed legal.

But if that much is clear-cut, arguments will continue to rage over perceived bias against McLaren and the amateurish manner in which crucial decisions are made. Former champion Sir Jackie Stewart has already raged against the amateur stewards.

His call for full-time officials to be appointed must now be considered as a matter of urgency.

As for the effect on Hamilton, who is making a secondary career of falling foul of F1 administrators, let no one underestimate the steely determination with which the 23-year-old British driver will attack the remaining four races of the championship.